Cape Town - Red ribbons will be prominently displayed across the globe as the world commemorates World Aids Day today.
World Aids Day is commemorated annually on December 1, highlighting more urgent measures which should be taken in the fight against HIV and Aids.
UNAids released its report, “Dangerous Inequalities”, highlighting how fighting inequalities could see a stronger standing in the fight against Aids.
UNAids executive director Winnie Byanyima said the world would not be able to defeat Aids while reinforcing patriarchy.
“We need to address the intersecting inequalities women face. In areas of high HIV burden, women subjected to intimate partner violence face up to a 50% higher chance of acquiring HIV.
“Across 33 countries from 2015-2021 only 41% of married women aged 15-24 could make their own decisions on sexual health.
“The only effective route map to ending Aids, achieving the sustainable development goals and ensuring health, rights and shared prosperity, is a feminist route map.”
In sub-Saharan Africa, women accounted for 63% of new HIV infections in 2021. According to UNAids, in 2021, 650 000 people succumbed to Aids and 1.5 million new HIV infections were recorded.
Meanwhile, the City said its HIV self-assisted screening service would be available at 38 City health facilities.
The service would allow any person to conduct their own HIV test, either in the presence and assisted by a healthcare worker, or without.
This form of testing can be done through a finger prick test (Insti) or an oral swab test (Oraquick).
The 38 facilities are: Albow Gardens, Bloekombos, Blue Downs, Crossroads 1, Delft South, Diep River, Dr Ivan Toms, Eastridge, Factreton, Gugulethu, Hout Bay Main Road, Ikhwezi CDC, Kuyasa, Langa, Luvuyo, Masiphumelele, Matthew Goniwe CDC, Mayenzeke, Mzamomhle, Philippi, Phumlani, Protea Park, Ravensmead, Saxon Sea, Sir Lowry’s Pass, Site B Youth Clinic, Site C Youth Clinic, Somerset West, Spencer Road, St Vincent, Tafelsig CDC, Town 2 CDC, Vuyani, Wallacedene, Weltevreden Valley, Westlake, Westridge, Wynberg.
According to the City’s statistical trends, HIV testing among males had increased from 19.5% in July 2020 to 25.2% in October 2022; the vast majority of those testing are aged between 15-49; and the percentage of persons testing positive has reduced from 13% in 2010 to just under 2% in 2022.