Reaching Key Populations through Rights-based Workplace Programmes

Richard Burzynski, UNAIDS

20th International AIDS Conference 2014Melbourne, Australia

20 July

Zero new HIV infections.Zero discrimination.Zero AIDS-related deaths.

“There will be no ending AIDS without putting people first.”

- Michel Sidibé

UNAIDS Gap Report 2014

• Young women• Pregnant women • Children• Prisoners• Injecting drug users• Person living with disabilities

• Migrants

• Displaced people• People over 50• Sex Workers• Transgender persons• Gay men and other men who

have sex with men

• In KwaZulu-Natal (SA) HIV prevalence among migrant women aged 25–29 was as high as 63%.

• HIV prevalence among migrants to Thailand from neighboring countries is up to 4x prevalence than in the general population.

• In India, HIV prevalence is 0.9% among people who migrated from rural to urban areas: almost 4x the national prevalence.

• Studies of South African sex workers & their truck driver clients have found up to 56% of both were HIV+

UNAIDS Gap Report 2014: Migrants

• In 110 countries, HIV prevalence is on average twelve times higher among sex workers than for the general population (15–49 years), with prevalence at least 50-fold higher in four countries.

• Nigeria and Ghana, HIV prevalence among sex workers is 8-fold higher than for the rest of the population.

• HIV prevalence among male sex workers, reported from 27 countries, was 14%.

UNAIDS Gap Report 2014: Sex Workers

Source: ECDC

Why they are being left behind

• Violence• Criminalization• Stigma and discrimination• Lack of programmes and funding

• Mandatory testing and deportation

• Limited access to health information and services

• Vulnerability to exploitation

How to close the Gap

End restrictions and ensure rights

Provide access to health services, including cross-border initiatives

Protection from sexual and labour

exploitation

Non-discrimination laws and

strengthened civil society leadership

How to close the GapEmpower

communities

End travel restrictions,

mandatory testing, and ensure rights

Protection from violence, sexual,

and labour exploitation

Provide access to health services, including cross-border initiatives

and social services for sex workers

Non-discrimination

laws and strengthened civil society leadership

Decriminalize sex work

1. Confront the myths and misunderstandings of those affected: Zero tolerance

2. Raise awareness of the gaps affecting key populations and those affected - Use evidence and data to make the case

3. Implement workplace sensitivity programmes on the issues relevant to today’s societies

4. Promote and intregrate dignity and social justice

5. Engage Unions, employers, faith leaders, Parliamentarians and the media

Lessons learnt and ways forward