Walking the Talk - VSO

Cross-cutting recommendations• National and donor governments should basenational AIDS plans on a rights-based analysis of thebarriers faced by women and girls in regard to HIVand AIDS prevention, treatment, care and supportservices. UNAIDS and the World Health Organizationmust develop clear targets, guidelines and a singlestrategy to support country governments to do this.• National and donor governments should consultwith women’s movements, local networks andmovements of women living with HIV and AIDS toensure funding reflects local priorities. They shouldalso ensure that their policies and programmes donot reinforce inequalities and have the participation ofwomen and girls living with (and affected by) HIV andAIDS at their heart.• National and donor governments should ensurelong-term, predictable funding for the strengthening ofhealth systems, in particular to ensure women-friendlyand pro-poor health systems that integrate HIV andAIDS and sexual and reproductive health rightsservices with HIV and AIDS prevention, treatment, careand support services. This should include adequatestaffing, diagnostics, medicines and other provisions totreat opportunistic infections that particularly affectwomen and girls, such as cervical cancer.• The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis andMalaria should improve expertise on women’s rightsat all levels of the decision-making process, anddevelop adequate indicators to monitor that countrycoordinating mechanisms are reflecting the prioritiesand rights of women and girls.• Civil society should undertake advocacy and raiseawareness around women’s rights to HIV and AIDSprevention, treatment, care and support, as well ashold governments to account for the realisation ofthese rights. They should also increase meaningfulinvolvement of women in leadership and decisionmakingpositions in their organisations to ensureissues related to women and girls’ rights areprioritised in their workWorldwide commitment to the universal access goal– and the universal access process itself – providesan opportunity to strengthen advocacy for women’srights. Moving from recognition of the feminisationof HIV and AIDS to action is a major challenge. Todate, this challenge has been met by devastatinginaction. The solution requires both politicalcommitment and resources. Those with power mustlisten to women’s priorities, uphold their right toparticipation, support their empowerment andchallenge those who violate their rights.“When my husband was ill I went with my husband for medication, but when I’m ill I talk tothe NGO staff.”Woman living with HIV and AIDS, Pakistan8 Walking the talk putting women's rights at the heart of the HIV and AIDS response