World AIDS Day is appropriately commemorated during 16 days of activism for no violence against women and children, as HIV disproportionately impacts young women, especially women between the ages of 15 and 24 years of age within South Africa.

As mentioned by the UNAIDS Executive Director, Winnie Byanyima, this World AIDS Day is like no other. The COVID-19 pandemic threatens the progress that the world has made in health and development over the past 20 years, including the gains we have made against HIV. The Commission has noted that many people living with HIV and AIDS could not access health care facilities and, consequently, their HIV treatments during the COVID-19 related lockdown in South Africa. Like all epidemics, COVID-19 is widening and therefore exacerbating the inequalities that already existed before the pandemic reached this country. Gender inequality, racial inequality, social and economic inequalities have been exacerbated by the pandemic and thus globally we see the emergence of a more unequal world.

World AIDS Day holds particular significance within South Africa as Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) estimated an overall HIV prevalence rate of approximately 13,5% among the South African population. The total number of people living with HIV (PLWHIV) was estimated at approximately 7,97 million in 2019. For adults aged 15–49 years, an estimated 19,07% of the population is HIV positive.

Despite these stark statistics, the SAHRC notes the massive progress the State has made in addressing the prevalence of HIV within South Africa. South Africa is making good progress towards the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets, particularly with regards to testing and viral suppression. In 2018, 90% of people living with HIV were aware of their status, of which 68% were on treatment. Of those diagnosed and on treatment, 87% were virally suppressed.

The Commission is, however, deeply concerned with the continued high HIV infection rate within South Africa. According to UNAIDS, 240 000 people were newly infected with HIV in 2018, whereas, 71 000 people tragically died from an AIDS-related illness.

For the Commission, World AIDS Day highlights the intricate link between human rights and the prevalence of HIV. Socio-economic disparities, poverty, unemployment, inequality on the basis of sex and gender – particularly for women – places an inordinate burden on certain segments of the population.

Thus the SAHRC calls for measures and steps to be taken to assert the rights of marginalised groups, which in turn would bolster their ability to protect themselves from HIV. 

Ends

Issued by the South African Human Rights Commission

Gushwell Brooks – Communications Co-ordinator Tel: 082 645 8573 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.