SOFIA WORLD AIDS DAY PRESS RELEASE

Wake up UK; Wake up the UK government

HIV is not a problem confined to a particular group of people or a particular way of life. All of us are vulnerable and all of us are at risk from what is now the fastest-growing infection in the UK. What puts us at risk is:
• stigmatising those we believe are associated with HIV and ignoring our own risk;
• inequality which puts women in situations where they feel they can not discuss sex with their sexual partners;
• high levels of intoxication with drugs or alcohol, which can erode inhibitions and prevent people from taking proper precautions.

Yet our government is still not making the connection with rising rates of alcohol use, STIs and HIV.

Domestic violence and forced sex also greatly raise people’s chances of contracting HIV. When one partner is not free to negotiate when and how they want to have sex, they are at risk; and when sex is forced it is never safe, a situation often made worse by the physical damage and bleeding caused by forced sex. Women are especially vulnerable.

In the UK, we need to mark this World AIDS Day by getting a grip on HIV and high-risk behaviour. Consider these statistics:

• The UK has seen the greatest rise in new HIV infections in Europe, with an estimated 70,000 people living with HIV in the UK
• 63% of heterosexually-infected people living with HIV seen for care in the UK are women
• One third of people with HIV in the UK do not know that they are infected and knowledge about HIV in the UK is actually deteriorating
• The UK has the highest rates in Europe of teenage pregnancy
• Syphilis rates increased 23% between 2004 and 2005 and genital chlamydia increased by 206% between 1999 and 2005
• Binge-drinking costs the UK £20 billion a year, and is the cause of 22,000 premature deaths – and 18% of adults in England binge drink double the daily recommended level at least once a week
• Domestic violence in the UK causes two deaths each week


HIV cannot be separated from the concern of gender inequity.

UNAIDS’ slogan, “the AIDS epidemic has a woman’s face”, is as true here as it is throughout Southern Africa. Women, and especially young women, are particularly vulnerable to HIV. This is because they are vulnerable to domestic and sexual abuse and less able to negotiate safe sexual practices than men, and are physically more vulnerable than men to contracting HIV through unsafe sex. HIV prevalence rates amongst British women have been growing yearly since records began.

Stigmatising and marginalising health messages that – incorrectly – single out certain populations do far more harm than good. Silence around such taboos as sex, relationships, gender, condoms, domestic violence and death can only help the spread of HIV.

We in Britain must remember that:

- Stigma around HIV in Britain is everywhere – especially for those who already feel marginalised by society
- HIV touches people from all backgrounds, and does not discriminate according to sexual orientation, age, race, education level or religion
- Good, effective sex education that helps young women and men talk openly about and negotiate safe and pleasurable sex for both partners is essential, to protect young people from HIV and to ensure that those who have HIV are able to have fulfilling safe sex if they choose.
- High-quality sex education for youth does not promote early sexual debut
- Male and female condoms are the only scientifically proven means of avoiding transmission of HIV, chlamydia, syphilis and other STIs
- If you have HIV, take heart – you are not alone. There are many people and organisations ready to support you. With today’s medicines and the right support you can live a fully productive and healthy life with HIV, and have healthy children.

SOFIA is a new women's forum which aims to:

• Change policies, so that there is effective prevention and better access to treatment for women living with HIV and AIDS
• Promote awareness of women’s particular vulnerability to HIV, and commitment to changing this
• Stop the HIV epidemic by providing support, advocacy and education
• Promote inclusion and access to rights for women living with HIV and AIDS throughout the world.