2008 High Level Meeting on AIDS

June 2008 – In his report on the United Nations General Assembly High level meeting on HIV and AIDS in New York( 10-11 June 2008), Farai P. Mahaso, Batanai HIV/AIDS Support Group, Zimbabwe highlights the civil society hearing. The informal civil society hearing, with the theme of Action for Universal Access 2010: Myths and realities took place on the 10th of June. Intervention from civil societies where on the following themes: sex workers and HIV, Rights of sexual minorities, people who use drugs, women and girls, children and HIV, young people living with HIV, access to treatment , HIV- related travel restrictions , mobility and migration, workplace responses and civil society involvement and AIDS accountability.

The civil society speakers brought frontline experience to the session; they addressed the challenging issues underlying the spread of HIV/AIDS such as gender issues, criminalisation of HIV and stressed the importance of accountability and involvement as we near the targets set to fulfil the Declaration of commitment and universal access.

It was important to note that civil society voice was given space during the High level meeting, however most of the time for making contributions was given to government delegations. There is therefore need to lobby with our government delegation on some of the issues we need to be presented at such meetings.

Regional lessons in the progress towards universal Access

• Coordination should be a key factor in tackling HIV and AIDS.
• Criminalisation of HIV/AIDS was noted as one of the major deterrent in achieving universal access to treatment and care. Most of the people are going underground thus making it difficult to access them.
• The ABC strategy has proven to be unrealistic on its own. There is need to include the issues of gender for it to be more effective.
• Provision of ARVs will not be complete with out food
• Scientifically proven information should be used.
• More involvement of people living with HIV and AIDS

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