HIV and gender equality: A call to action

Courtesy/iStockphoto

As the world commemorates World Aids Day, entering the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), it is a reminder that two parallel struggles are deeply intertwined. Both HIV and GBV exact a disproportionate toll on women and girls, placing their health, safety, dignity, and opportunities at peril. These global campaigns call for collective reflection and, more importantly, for real action.

This year's World Aids Day theme, "Collective Action: Sustain and Accelerate HIV Progress," resonates deeply. Without addressing structural inequalities and violence that create vulnerability, sustained progress in HIV prevention and care cannot be achieved. Similarly, the 16 Days of Activism challenges us to confront GBV, a pervasive issue that undermines shared objectives of equality and health.