Stigma operates as a powerful barrier to disclosing HIV infection, even to partners placed at risk, a burden that falls particularly heavily on women in their intimate relationships. The lack of access to prophylaxis to prevent perinatal transmission means yet more children born with HIV, and a greater burden on caregivers. We have to take drastic steps. The authors of the four discussion papers each summarized their papers briefly, highlighting issues for further discussion in smaller workshops. He highlighted the link between preventing HIV and access to treatment.
Treatment can prevent both disease progression and transmission.
Access to treatment will give people hope, and a greater willingness to get tested and to disclose, thereby helping to overcome the fear and stigma that lead to human rights abuses and hinder prevention efforts. Successful litigation strategies, particularly regarding socioeconomic rights, will require political coalitions with broader social movements. Using South Africa as a case study, she examined whether, and how, the presence or absence of a framework of basic human rights can advance gender equality and reduce HIV vulnerability. Legal and Ethical Issues Related to Vaccine Research David Patterson, a human rights lawyer and co-chair of the International AIDS Conference s new track on rights and action, discussed the legal and ethical challenges of conducting HIV preventive vaccine research in developing countries. Patterson reviewed both states obligations under international law, and the moral obligations on individual researchers and institutions under international codes of ethics.