HIV-AIDS: ‘Recognise every person’s human rights’

Upholding the human rights of every person living with or at risk of HIV-AIDS is crucial to ending the epidemic by 2030.This is according to Dr Medhin Tsehaiu, the deputy regional director for the UNAIDS regional office for eastern and southern Africa.With World AIDS Day commemorated yesterday, Namibia recorded approximately 230 000 people living with HIV in 2023, with a prevalence rate of 9.7% among adults aged 15 to 49.Statistics indicate that women are disproportionately affected, accounting for 65% of those living with HIV and 4 000 (67%) of the 6 000 new infections.Tsehaiu highlighted that gender-based violence (GBV) increases vulnerability to HIV-AIDS. “Namibia faces significant challenges with GBV, which has a direct impact on the HIV pandemic,” he warned.Nearly 35% of women experience violence or sexual violence at the hands of an intimate partner. This not only affects women’s physical and mental health, it also increases their vulnerability to HIV infection, said Tsehaiu.“The lack of education and information heightens the risk. There is an urgent need to invest in girls’ education and provide comprehensive sexual education, a critical component of HIV prevention.”He emphasised the need to remove barriers to healthcare, highlighting that many countries still have laws requiring young people to obtain parental consent to be tested for HIV-AIDS. “This discourages youth, and results in many being unaware of their HIV status.”Tsehaiu praised Namibia for its supportive laws regarding the sexual and reproductive health rights of teenagers and young people. This includes the National Policy for Sexual, Reproductive and Child Health, while Chapter 15 of the Child Care and Protection Act permits HIV-AIDS testing for children aged 14 and older.According to Tsehaiu, Namibia has made remarkable progress in its efforts to eliminate mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV. In May this year, the World Health Organisation awarded Namibia silver tier status for reducing MTCT of the hepatitis B virus and bronze tier status for HIV.Tsehaiu cautioned that the criminalisation and stigmatisation of groups, such as gay men, transgender individuals, sex workers and people who use drugs, undermines efforts to eradicate HIV-AIDS.“The backlash against rights, which threatens to undo all progress in the global AIDS response, must be addressed decisively and effectively. To protect everyone’s health, we must protect everyone’s rights.”Young people in Namibia aged 15 to 24 are significantly affected by HIV-AIDS, accounting for 2 100 (35%) of new infections. Of these, 81% are young women.HIV-AIDS-related deaths are decreasing but remain concerning, with 3 700 deaths recorded in 2023 – a 33% reduction in HIV-AIDS related deaths since 2010. Many of these deaths are often linked to tuberculosis infections.

HIV-AIDS: ‘Recognise every person’s human rights’

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-03

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HIV-AIDS: ‘Recognise every person’s human rights’

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-03

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