PD Online: What will UNAIDS do to help the countries to find solutions to the problem?

Steven Kraus: Addressing HIV among men who have sex with men is one of the key priorities for the AIDS response in Asia and the Pacific and this is one of the central issues of focus for UNAIDS. There is a lot that can be done. We have the tools, evidence, experience and know-how to rapidly mobilize to action, across all sectors, and turn the epidemic among men who have sex with men around.

We urgently need innovative, appropriately designed programs that can be rapidly scaled up and supported by a range of investments by governments, donor agencies, the private sector, and communities of men who have sex with men. Responding to the evidence, city-based responses ensuring links between HIV testing, counseling, prevention and treatment, need to be prioritized.

Meaningful involvement of men who have sex with men in the initiation, development and delivery of HIV programs and services, as well as in advocating for safe sex and increased HIV testing and counseling, is critical and proven to have a significant impact. Community leaders can provide critical information and evidence on HIV testing and the benefits of knowing one’s status for early treatment, mobilizing the larger community as a whole.

PD Online: What discrimination is faced by people living with HIV/AIDS at present?

Kraus: Sadly, too many people living with HIV and people from key populations at highest risk, still suffer extreme levels of stigma and discrimination. This stigma and discrimination can manifest itself in many ways— in school, at work, in medical settings, in communities, within families and even self-stigma felt by people living with and affected by HIV themselves.

Because of stigma and discrimination, many people are afraid to get tested for HIV, to take up HIV prevention and treatment, to disclose their HIV status, and to participate in national HIV responses. They also have little chance of getting legal redress for HIV-related harms. Women continue to face discrimination and violence that make them more vulnerable to HIV, and young people often cannot access information and services for life-skills and sexual health. The criminalization of people who are at higher risk of infection, such as men who have sex with men, sex workers, transgender people and people who use drugs, drives them underground and away from HIV services. This increases their vulnerability to HIV, as well as to stigma, discrimination, marginalization and violence. Many people living with or vulnerable to HIV do not know their rights or the local laws that might protect them.

Transforming these challenges takes leadership and courage at the highest political levels, as well as among those living with and vulnerable to HIV.

People affected by HIV have, over the years, led their communities and countries towards effective HIV prevention, fought for and won access to treatment, and demanded equality, dignity and respect. They have been, and remain, critical agents for the social and legal changes necessary for effective HIV responses.

Eliminating stigma and discrimination is one of the central goals and visions of UNAIDS’ work. One of our ‘Three Zeros” is the vision of getting to Zero Discrimination – and we are working as hard and as quickly as possible towards the eventual eliminating of stigma and discrimination.