Understanding Human Rights from an HIV and SRH perspective: the lowest common denominator

1
Understanding Human Rightsfrom an HIV and SRH
perspective the lowest common denominator

• Dr. Nono Simelela
• Director
• Technical Knowledge and Support Unit

2
Common determinants

• SRH and HIV share similar driving forces
• Gender inequality
• Poverty
• Social norms and values
• Culture

3

• SRHR
• Target population
• Women and Youth
• Fertility desires/procreation
• Stability / Societal norms
• ICPD
• Beijing
• ICPD10

• HIV/AIDS
• Target population
• Vulnerable groups
• Celebrating diversity
• Pushing boundaries
• UNGASS
• GFATM
• Glion Call

4
SRH response to HIV

• Disease prevention angle
• Focus on the protection of the uninfected
• Inability to embrace diversity beyond the
  traditional client base

5
HIV response to HIV

• Sex positive and treatment angle
• Focus on those who are HIV positive
• Lack of recognition of other broader sexual
  health issues

6
Viewing Human Rights

• Lowest common denominator
• Double stigma
• Cherry picking approaches

7
A case in point

• To test or not to test?
• Opt-in or opt-out
• Routine offer
• Provider initiated
• Partner tracing and notification
• Public health vs individual rights

8
All is not fine in paradise

• Stigma and discriminationsubtle and just as real
• Power imbalancesprovider and client
• Enabling environmentgender

9
So what?

• Finding common ground acknowledging the
  differences exist and addressing these
• Language matters
• Progressive thinking dealing with new
  challenges of the epidemic
• Actions count - meeting people where they are and
  not where we think they should be.

10

• The destiny of human rights is in the hands of
  all our citizens in all our communities.
• Eleanor Roosevelt