Started on 1st December 1988, World AIDS Day is one of the biggest annual global events and the climax of a year’s campaign to create more awareness on the HIV and AIDS epidemic, with an ultimate goal of curbing new infections.

The WAD provides opportunity to governments, statutory bodies, development partners and all civil society organisations to take stock and evaluate their efforts in checking the spread and control of HIV so as to ameliorate programmes that address HIV and AIDS more appropriately in society.

This year’s theme is “Universal Access and Human Rights”. The rationale for this year’s theme is the dire need to emphasize indiscriminate universal rights to information and services such as voluntary counselling and testing (HCT), antiretroviral drugs (ARVs), paediatric care and treatment and the right to HIV and AIDS treatment for all, irrespective of age, gender, race, status and geographical location etc.

The issue of human rights arose when effective treatment for HIV was first announced in 1996. The right to the highest attainable standard of health includes access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and social support.  In 2006 a goal was set by all governments and the international community to achieve universal access to comprehensive HIV prevention, care and support by 2010.

Universal access implies that HIV services and information are available, acceptable and of good quality. Services should be in good reach and at an affordable price. There should be no stigmatisation or discrimination against people with HIV or their families. Services should be scientifically sound and culturally appropriate.

Human rights principles relevant to HIV/AIDS are: the right to non-discrimination; equal protection and equality before the law; the right to life; the right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health; the right to liberty and security of person; the right to freedom of movement; the right to seek and enjoy asylum; the right to privacy; the right to freedom of opinion and expression and the right to freely receive and impart information; the right to freedom of association; the right to work; the right to marry and found a family; the right to equal access to education; the right to an adequate standard of living; the right to social security, assistance and welfare; the right to share scientific advancement and its benefits; the right to participate in public and cultural life and the right to be free from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. 

The prevalence of HIV is disproportionately high among some population groups like the women, girls, internally displaced persons, people with disabilities, prisoners, sex workers, men having sex with men (MSM), Injection drug users, fisher men, and orphans and vulnerable children. These population groups either lack human rights protection or are discriminated against and/or they are marginalised by their legal status. There is need to facilitate and create a supportive legal and ethical environment which is protective of human rights. Government, communities and individuals should respect human rights and human dignity and act in a spirit of tolerance, compassion and solidarity.

According to UNAIDS estimates, there are now 33.4 million people living with HIV, including 2.1 million children. During 2008 some 2.7 million people became newly infected with the virus and an estimated 2 million people died from AIDS. Around half of all people who become infected with HIV do so before they are 25 and are killed by AIDS before they are 35.

Uganda will be commemorating this year’s WAD at Nakivubo Stadium in Kampala. AIDS information centre and other partners will provide free HIV counselling and testing.

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