World AIDS Day 2024: "Take the Rights Path: My Health, My Right!"
Every year on December 1, people worldwide observe World AIDS Day to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and honor those who have lost their lives to the disease.
The theme for 2024, “Take the Rights Path: My Health, My Right!”, highlights the importance of human rights in the fight against AIDS. It calls for ending stigma, discrimination, and inequalities to ensure everyone can access HIV prevention, treatment, and care.
The Origins of World AIDS Day
World AIDS Day began in 1988, started by UNAIDS and the World Health Organization (WHO). The idea came from WHO staff members James W. Bunn and Thomas Netter to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and remember those affected.
Challenges Faced by People with HIV
People living with or at risk of HIV often face not just health challenges but also stigma and discrimination. According to the WHO, protecting human rights and addressing these barriers are key to ensuring everyone can access healthcare without fear or prejudice.
The Right to Health
This day reminds us that healthcare, including HIV prevention and treatment, is a basic right for all. However, many still face obstacles to accessing care due to discrimination based on their HIV status, background, gender, or location. While progress has been made, challenges remain, especially in ensuring fair access to services.
WHO’s Call to Action
The WHO urges leaders and communities to take action against the inequalities that block progress toward ending AIDS. The focus must be on ensuring everyone, especially vulnerable groups, has access to healthcare.
Groups most affected by HIV include men who have sex with men, transgender people, people who inject drugs, sex workers, prisoners, and their partners. Engaging with and supporting these groups is critical to ending AIDS by 2030.
Let’s use World AIDS Day 2024 as a chance to stand together, fight inequalities, and ensure health as a right for all.
