World AIDS Day 2010:"Universal Access and Human Rights"

The first World AIDS Day was in 1988 and was started as a method of raising awareness of HIV and AIDS. Every December 1 since that first year, people around the world observe World AIDS Day not only to raise awareness but also to raise much needed funding for costly HIV care and prevention around the world. World AIDS Day 2010 will be held as it is every year on December 1; the theme "Universal Access and Human Rights". Leaders from all over the world have promised to do all they can to improve access to HIV care and treatment. While progress has been made, access to HIV care and treatment is not readily available for everyone in need. For example, in some less developed countries, up to 50 percent of the people living with HIV and needing treatment go without; in large part because of lack of understanding or financial resources.

Human rights violations are commonplace in some parts of the world. Beside the obvious emotional impact human rights violations has on the person, the community, and society in general, human rights violations actually contribute to the spread of HIV.

For instance, women in some parts of the world have absolutely no say in their sexual life. In fact most don't even have the right to choose if they want to have sex and who they have sex with. In some cultures, the rape and sexual abuse of women is rooted in decades of societal practices and tradition. Finally, marginalized populations such as transgendered people, sex workers, and IV drug users are at the front lines of social injustice and prejudice. As a result these populations have a high risk of HIV infection. As part of World AIDS Day 2010, the emphasis will be on making the world aware of these human rights injustices in hopes of someday eliminating them with them the spread of HIV.

World AIDS Day reminds us that we all can play a part in the war against HIV. Fighting the prejudices and human rights violations that go with the disease will take an effort by all of us. Each one of us can help assure that human rights are protected and those without a voice will have one through us.


(2010-11-30/aids.about.com)