Uphold the rights of HIV-positive women, says World YWCA
10. December 2009
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Ecumenical News International
Daily News Service
01 December 2009
Uphold the rights of HIV-positive women, says World YWCA
ENI-09-0945
By Stephen Brown
Geneva, 1 December (ENI)--The sexual and reproductive health and rights of
women living with HIV are being ignored, the World Young Women's Christian
Association warns in a statement marking World AIDS Day.
"Globally an estimated 17.5 million women are currently living with HIV,"
the Geneva-based World YWCA said in its 1 December statement, which urged
governments, international organisations and civil society to uphold
HIV-positive women's sexual and reproductive health and rights.
HIV-positive women are often encouraged not to have children, the
association said, while in some countries, access to HIV treatment for women
is tied to their agreement to use contraceptives.
"In one study, 45 percent of women diagnosed HIV-positive were told not to
have any more children - only 18 percent of positive men were given the same
advice, suggesting that health-care workers place responsibility for
contraception on women.
"In addition, there are an increasing number of documented cases of pregnant
HIV-positive women being coerced into sterilisation or denied care because
of their HIV status. Many HIV-positive women face stigma and discrimination
when planning a pregnancy or seeking pre-natal care," stated the World YWCA.
The association describes itself as a global network of women and young
women in 125 countries, and inspired by Christian principles as well as a
commitment to women's full and equal participation in society.
"As civil society continues to push for universal access to HIV prevention,
treatment, care and support by the end of 2010, it is essential that
governments and world leaders understand that for universal access to be
truly universal, the human rights of young women and women living with HIV
must also be upheld," it said.
World AIDS Day is observed on 1 December each year. The global theme for the
day in 2009 and 2010 is "Universal Access and Human Rights".
:: World YWCA statement:
www.worldywca.info/World-YWCA/YWCA-News/World-YWCA-News/World-YWCA-statement
-for-World-AIDS-Day-2009 [319 words]
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