LocationsThe World Can End AIDS: Protecting Everyone’s Rights is Key
November 29, 2024
29 November 2024, Bishkek – UNDP and UNAIDS together with stakeholders and community of people living with HIV marked the World Aids Day. Key stakeholders, international partners, and community leaders discussed strategies for strengthening the HIV response through a rights-based approach at the roundtable The World Can End AIDS – If Everyone’s Rights Are Protected."
Kyrgyzstan has made significant strides in addressing HIV, ensuring broad access to antiretroviral (ARV) treatment for those in need. Efforts to reduce stigma and discrimination in healthcare settings and communities have shown measurable progress. Investments in diagnosis and treatment programs have increased, supported by both government initiatives and international partnerships.
However, people living with HIV point to a number of further steps that need to be taken as soon as possible – revising some clinical protocols, strengthening the monitoring and support system to avoid treatment interruptions, ensuring the participation of the HIV community in decision-making processes related to treatment and financing.
Сommunity leader Baktygul Israilova.
“As a woman living with HIV, I firmly believe that we can end AIDS if we protect the rights of everyone. It is essential that people living with HIV (PLHIV) are included in all decision-making processes that impact their lives and health. Furthermore, we must ensure regular consultations between all stakeholders and the HIV-positive community to amplify their voices and ensure that programs and policies are tailored to meet their specific needs” - said the community leader Baktygul Israilova.
In close cooperation with the Ministry of Health, UNDP works to improve access to health services, enhance the quality of HIV treatment and prevention, and strengthen the health system.
“Every year, about 40,000 people at risk are provided with preventive services, including HIV testing, provision of medical supplies, and provision of knowledge. And more than 5,000 people living with HIV receive antiretroviral treatment, which allows them to live a full life, like all citizens of the country. This partnership allows us to more effectively respond to the challenges associated with the HIV epidemic and ensure sustainable development of health care in the country,” said Monica Rijal, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative.
Addressing these gaps requires collaborative action rooted in protecting human rights:
- Policy Reforms: Laws and practices that stigmatize or exclude must be replaced with inclusive policies that empower marginalized communities.
- Community Engagement: People living with HIV (PLHIV) must have a seat at the table to inform decisions that affect their lives.
- Strengthening Health Systems: Improved monitoring of medication supplies and expanded diagnostic services are critical for quality care.
“The fight against AIDS is inseparable from the fight for human rights. By protecting the rights of everyone, especially marginalized groups, we can ensure equal access to prevention, treatment, and care,” said Meerim Sarybaeva, UNAIDS Representative in Kyrgyzstan.
Ending AIDS by 2030 is within reach, but it demands collective commitment to a rights-based path. The voices of communities, particularly those of PLHIV, must guide policies and practices. Together, we can dismantle barriers, advance gender equality, and build systems that prioritize health and dignity for all.
Let’s take the rights path—not just for one day, but as a movement that continues beyond World AIDS Day, ensuring a future free from AIDS.
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