HIV Update: The Politics of AIDS

By Kevin Osborne (IPPF)

AIDS is multi-faceted and above all deeply political. Since the epidemic was identified in the early eighties, activism and advocacy has been driven by a complex mix of politics, power, and personalities. Nearly four decades on, the current political commitment to HIV is under question.

On the eve of the XIX International AIDS Conference in Washington, D.C., it is perhaps a good time to reflect on the nature of political commitment to this epidemic: what does it mean? Do we have it? What does it look like? Potentially rewarded for ending its entry restrictions on people living with HIV this is the first time in twenty-two years that the conference has been held in the USA (the 6^th International AIDS Conference was held in San Francisco in 1990). While this is in many ways a victory for sound policy and for the rights of people living with HIV to travel freely, government restrictions on the entry of sex workers and people who use drugs will make it difficult or impossible for those who identify as belonging to these groups to attend this conference.

“Turning the Tide Together” – the unifying theme of the AIDS Conference – highlights the fact that linked policy, activism and sound human-rights based practise should form the backbone of a sustained response. Held at both a time of global austerity and in the backyard of one of the most powerful and influential HIV players in the global response, this conference needs to be an urgent clarion call for renewed political commitment to HIV.

Ahead of this conference that will bring together a unique balance of scientists, activists, programmers and policy makers, it is important for us to reflect on IPPF’s commitment towards addressing some of the current gaps in AIDS response.

IPPF remains committed to ensuring that our specific niche response - linking our work on HIV to broader sexual and reproductive health and rights issues - will remain relevant, realistic and robust. We owe that to ourselves, our stakeholders, and to every client.

Download the AIDS 2012 issue of the IPPF HIV Update newsletter: http://www.ippf.org/resources/publications/HIV-Update-newsletter