By Ngaatendwe Panelope Hazell Murombedzi, Southern Africa Regional Advocacy and Policy Manager, AIDS Healthcare Foundation South Africa

As we approach International Human Rights Day on 10 December 2024, under the theme "The Rights Path" for World AIDS Day 2024, it is vital to address the devastating intersection of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and HIV in South Africa. Women and girls, particularly adolescent girls and young women (AGYW), disproportionately bear the brunt of both crises. This is more than a public health issue—it is a human rights emergency requiring urgent action from all sectors of society.

A Crisis of Intertwined Realities

• Women constitute nearly 60% of all adults living with HIV in South Africa.
• Young women aged 15–24 are eight times more likely to be living with HIV than their male counterparts.

GBV strips women and girls of their safety, bodily autonomy, and access to healthcare. For survivors living with HIV, stigma and discrimination in healthcare settings often deter them from seeking treatment, perpetuating a vicious cycle of violence and vulnerability.

Addressing Barriers and Stigma

Despite the government’s 2019 five-point GBV strategy, meaningful change remains elusive. Survivors still face significant barriers to support services, while young people advocate for:

• Better treatment access and adolescent-friendly services.
• Literacy around proven biomedical interventions like PrEP and PEP.
• Greater availability of condoms and long-term treatment options.

The work of non-state actors like the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is crucial. AHF’s advocacy focuses on increasing treatment access, strengthening policies informed by community engagement, and addressing the barriers GBV survivors face in accessing HIV care.

The Call for a Multisectoral Approach

To tackle the complex relationship between GBV and HIV, a multisectoral approach is required:

1. Integrating GBV Prevention into HIV Programming: Survivors need access to mental health services, safe spaces, and holistic care.
2. Challenging Harmful Gender Norms: Promoting inclusive care and addressing the stigma surrounding GBV and HIV.
3. Youth Participation in Policy Development: AGYW must have a seat at the table in shaping HIV response strategies.

A Global Responsibility

The G20 summit provides a platform to prioritise the health and safety of women and girls. South Africa must lead by example, demonstrating that women’s health is a non-negotiable human right. The intersection of HIV and GBV demands solutions that address both crises simultaneously.

Take the Rights Path

As we commemorate World AIDS Day 2024 and look toward International Human Rights Day, the call to "Take the Rights Path" is clear. Action is needed now to secure the health, dignity, and future of women and girls living with HIV. Their lives depend on our collective commitment to demand their rights.

Press Release Submitted By

Organisation: AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF)
Media Contact: Kerry Oliver
Telephone: 082-927-9470
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.aidshealth.org

Total Words: 569

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Take the Rights Path

This World AIDS Day, tackle the intersection of GBV and HIV with urgency. Advocate for women's rights and inclusive care today! #WorldAIDSDay2024 #TheRightsPath #EndGBV #AHF #mypressportal #pressrelease #AfricaNewsroom #bizcommunity #publicrelations #africa #southernafrica #southafrica