Dr. Medhin Tsehaiu
On this Zero Discrimination Day, March 1, 2024, we reflect on a decade of advocating for everyone’s rights to foster healthier communities. The correlation is undeniable: safeguarding health necessitates the protection of rights for all.
We’ve witnessed remarkable progress, such as the enrollment of an additional 50 million girls in schools since 2015. Education is crucial, not just for keeping girls in school but also for providing them with vital HIV information and services, which is essential for their health and well-being.
In Kenya, our efforts in combating HIV have seen significant success, with over 1.29 million people receiving antiretroviral therapy out of the 1.38 million living with HIV. Further, between
2021 and 2022, we observed a 36% decline in new HIV infections, although there still were 22,065 new cases in 2022 alone.
Globally, each week, 4,000 young women aged 15-24 contract HIV, mainly due to the violation of their rights. Empowering girls through education significantly reduces their HIV risk. To eliminate AIDS by 2030, we must prioritize the advancement of human rights universally.
In 2023, Kenya faced 18,473 AIDS-related deaths, with women and girls disproportionately impacted. Access to prevention and treatment services remains uneven, especially for men, children, and stigmatized groups, highlighting the need for an inclusive approach.
Success in fighting AIDS correlates with the expansion of human rights and engagement of marginalized communities in the response.
Kenya’s commitment to ending AIDS by 2027 sets a precedent for achieving the global target by 2030. This political will is crucial for ensuring an inclusive fight against AIDS.
Our goal towards Universal Health Coverage, with human rights at its core, is fundamental in our quest to end AIDS.
The author is the UNAIDS Country Director.