The United Nations has announced in a report that while the number of people living with HIV/AIDS worldwide has decreased by 39%, this figure has increased by 100% in Afghanistan, Egypt, Fiji, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, and Saudi Arabia.
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) stated today (Sunday, December 2) in a report on the occasion of World AIDS Day that there are currently 39.9 million people living with HIV/AIDS.
The report noted that the number of new HIV infections has decreased by 39% since 2010, and the mortality rate due to AIDS has halved.
According to a section of the UN report, despite these global trends, Afghanistan, Egypt, Fiji, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, and Saudi Arabia have all reported a 100% increase in HIV infections between 2010 and 2023.
The United Nations emphasized that if human rights are ensured for all, it would be possible to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
Additionally, the UN called on global leaders to choose the path of “rights” so that communities can access HIV prevention, testing, and treatment services inclusively and without discrimination.
The report also highlighted that significant progress in combating HIV is directly linked to advancements in protecting human rights.
It stressed the importance of gender equality and respect for all individuals.
The organization stated that laws that discriminate against individuals based on gender, belonging to key populations, or other social factors hinder access to HIV prevention and treatment services.
The UN AIDS division called for the elimination of laws and policies that violate individuals’ rights and emphasized the need for legislation that strengthens human rights.
This entity believes that adhering to the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and fostering inclusivity in communities can lead to the end of AIDS and the realization of human security.
It is noteworthy that the United Nations commemorates December 1 as World AIDS Day, viewing this day as an opportunity for collective action to ensure the health of all individuals through the protection of human rights.
