In a powerful address at the 22nd International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa, held in Harare, President Emmerson Mnangagwa conveyed a strong message about the ongoing fight against AIDS. He underscored the disproportionate impact of the HIV epidemic on women and adolescent girls, citing disturbing statistics: women represent 63% of new HIV infections.
Mnangagwa’s speech, rich in urgency and gravitas, highlighted AIDS as an ongoing challenge to socio-economic development. He emphasized the conference’s theme, “AIDS is Not Over, Address Inequalities, Accelerate Inclusion and Innovation,” as a rallying cry against complacency in the face of this enduring public health crisis.
The President stressed the need for actionable strategies to maintain and increase funding for HIV initiatives. He pointed to Zimbabwe’s National Aids Trust Fund, which has been instrumental in financing over 30% of the nation’s treatment requirements and numerous prevention efforts, as a model of effective response.
UN Resident Coordinator Edward Kallon also provided insights, acknowledging Zimbabwe’s strides in combating HIV and STIs. However, he highlighted persistent challenges, such as unequal access to HIV services based on age, gender, and geography. Kallon called for a national-scale implementation of targeted programs, especially for vulnerable groups like children and key populations.
Kallon underscored the criticality of comprehensive funding, capacity-building support, and creating an enabling environment that fosters community participation and safeguards human rights, especially of marginalized and key populations.
He pointed out the potential of HIV/AIDS to derail socio-economic progress and disrupt societal stability. He urged attention to the underlying issues fueling the HIV spread, such as pervasive gender inequality and practices that promote sexual and gender-based violence.
The conference, a pivotal event for Zimbabwe, marks the second time the nation has hosted ICASA in a decade. With over 4,000 delegates in attendance and approximately 2,000 participants engaging online from more than 100 countries, the conference symbolizes a united front in the global battle against AIDS.
In summary, President Mnangagwa’s address at the ICASA conference was a clarion call for renewed and intensified efforts in the fight against AIDS. It highlighted the need for concrete action and sustained commitment to address the ongoing crisis. The President’s focus on the disproportionate impact of HIV on women and adolescent girls, and the call for more equitable access to treatment and prevention services, underscored the intersection of health and human rights issues in the AIDS epidemic. The conference, with its global participation, underscored the continued relevance and urgency of the AIDS crisis on the international stage.
