GENDER and HIV/AIDS in the ASIA and PACIFIC REGION

About a quarter of a century has passed since the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was identified
and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) was identified as a disease. Although HIV/AIDS
was initially perceived as a health issue, today it is increasingly recognized as a cross-cutting issue of
development and human rights that affects different segments of the population differently. Its close
links with poverty and discrimination and the global trend of quickly increasing proportions of
infections among women are forcing policy makers in a range of sectors to address the pandemic.
The gender dimensions of HIV/AIDS have been increasingly recognized by the international
community in recent years, starting with the General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS in June
2001, where 189 countries signed a Declaration of Commitment acknowledging that “gender equality
and the empowerment of women are fundamental elements in the reduction of the vulnerability of
women and girls to HIV/AIDS. A set of targets was established that had women as central, including
“By 2005, National Strategies should empower women to have control over and decide freely and
responsibly on matters related to their sexuality to increase their ability to protect themselves from HIV
infection.”
At the High Level Meeting (which served as the regional input to the Beijing +10 review) organized by
UNESCAP, in September 2004 in Bangkok, its member states acknowledged gaps in full
implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action and in the Bangkok Communiqué that was adopted
at the meeting, noted “the lack of regional cooperation and partnership initiatives for combating the
spread of HIV/AIDS, noting the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the region particularly among women,
while recognizing the need to address the challenge of reducing the vulnerability of women and girls
to HIV/AIDS”.