⎯ Effective response to violence must be multi-sectoral and culturally-specific;
and
⎯ There is a need to strengthen collection, recording, analyzing, storage and
sharing of data and information on the prevalence and costs of domestic
violence evidence is key.
8.0 HIV and VAWG
8.1 Globally, new HIV infections among adults and children reduced by 33% since
2001.
8.2 In children alone, new HIV Infections reduced to 260 000 in 2012, a reduction of
52% since 2001. AIDS-related deaths have also dropped by 30% since the peak in
2005 as access to antiretroviral treatment expands.
8.3 By the end of 2012, some 9.7 million people in low-and middleincome countries
were accessing antiretroviral therapy, an increase of nearly 20% in just one year.
8.4 The Effects On
8.4.1 The rate of new infections in young women between the ages of 15 and 24
remains staggeringly high, even though it has reduced considerably.
8.4.2 Young females aged 15-24 years living with HIV had decreased from 870 000
(810 000-1 100 000) in 2005 to 710 000 (660 000 – 860 000) in 2012.
8.4.3 In Sub-Saharan Africa, women constitute 57 percent of all people living with
HIV/AIDS.
8.4.4 For women in their reproductive years (15-49), HIV/AIDS is the leading cause
of death.
8.4.5 A study in South Africa recently suggested that nearly one is seven cases of
young women acquiring HIV could have been prevented if the women had not been
subjected to intimate partner violence.
8.4.6 Many national HIV/AIDS programmes fail to address underlying gender
inequalities. In 2008, only 52% of countries who reported to the UN General
Assembly included specific, budgeted support for womenfocused HIV/AIDS
programmes.
8.4.7 Ending the HIV epidemic requires taking a political stand against violence,
ensuring a coordinated multi-sectoral response to prevent violence against women and
managing its consequences.
8.5 What is our Task
8.5.1 Secure Women's rights:a) Enact laws that protect women from violence;
b) Challenge social norms which undermine women's rights;
c) Expand access to legal services and economic resources for women; and
d) Ensure that programmes that address women's rights and support women’s
development in all spheres are properly funded, managed and implemented.