More celebration of life
Bagasao, T.M.
Integration 54: 22-26
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0916-0582 PMID: 12293672 Document Number: 274696
The Program Development Officer of the Joint UN Program on HIV/AIDS opened her address to the 4th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific by recounting how her early involvement in AIDS interventions quickly shifted from "working for" to "working with and learning from" diverse communities. She continued by noting that the most effective responses to the epidemic are rooted in the promotion of human rights and by recounting the 12 guidelines issued by the 2nd International Consultation on HIV/AIDS and Human Rights to help member states design appropriate programs and policies. Next, she cautioned against reducing prevention efforts simply because of a growing perception that treatment advances may obviate the need for prevention. Instead, prevention efforts should focus on the socioeconomic and cultural factors that marginalize individuals and foster high-risk behavior. A look at successful responses highlighted: 1) projects in India that empower sex workers, 2) successful programs created by the homosexual community in Australia, 3) efforts to reduce the danger posed to iv drug users, 4) community-based programs to reduce drug abuse, and 5) projects to reduce discrimination and increase care for affected individuals. Finally, she called for increased networking and creation of partnerships to maximize the effectiveness of prevention and care efforts, as well as emphasizing the importance of working with affected individuals; recognizing the relationship between empowerment, care, support, and prevention; developing political will to affect change; and respecting human rights.