Walking the Talk - VSO

DefinitionsUniversal Universal access is the most recent andaccess comprehensive commitment made by the‘continuum’ international community in response toHIV and AIDS. The ‘continuum’ iscomposed of prevention, treatment, careand support – four indivisible pillars of aneffective response to HIV and AIDS.Civil society Civil society is composed of diverse actorsand institutions such as charities, nongovernmentalorganisations, communitybasedorganisations and groups, women'sorganisations, faith-based organisations,professional associations, self-help groups,networks of people living with HIV andAIDS, social movements, coalitions,advocacy groups etc.International A body of treaties, charters, covenants,human rights bills of rights, declarations and otherinstruments international legal instruments thatgovernments have agreed or signed.Rights Individuals and groups with rights asholders defined in International HumanRights Instruments.Duty bearers State or non-state actors responsible andaccountable for ensuring rights, as definedin International Human Rights Instruments,are respected, protected and fulfilled.Empowerment The process through which women andgirls come to see themselves as havingentitlements and rights and identify thepower they and others have to claimthose entitlements.Women’s The capacity of women to act individuallyagency or within a group, to start an empowermentprocess and to then regain control andmake choices in their life.SexGenderSexualityGenderequalityPMTCT-PlusThe characteristics of human biology andanatomy that define males and females;sexual intercourse.Socially constructed characteristics,qualities and behaviours, assigned tohuman beings according to their sex,against which women and menare measured.Encompasses sex, gender identities androles, sexual orientation, eroticism,pleasure, intimacy and reproduction.Includes thoughts, fantasies, desires,beliefs, attitudes, values, behaviours,practices, roles and relationships.Sexuality is influenced by the interaction ofbiological, psychological, social,economic, political, cultural, ethical, legal,historical, religious and spiritual factors. 1The right of both sexes to equal rightsand opportunities, and to be free fromdiscrimination established throughgender norms.Unlike simple prevention of mother-tochildtransmission programmes (PMTCT)that put the burden of prevention oftransmission to the newborn exclusivelyon women, PMTCT-Plus involves everyfamily member infected or affected by HIVand AIDS. It is a more holistic set ofservices for pregnant women living withHIV and AIDS, providing preventativetherapy, treatment and care for women intheir own right (including treatmentoptions beyond pregnancy). PMTCT-Plusencourages the participation of men at allstages of pregnancy, delivery and care aswell as on issues around stigma andpositive status disclosure.Walking the talk putting women's rights at the heart of the HIV and AIDS response 3