UNAIDS Urges Protection of Human Rights in Africa on International Day to End Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT)

UNAIDS Calls on Governments to Protect LGBTQ+ Rights Ahead of IDAHOBIT

As the world prepares to commemorate the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) on May 17, UNAIDS is urging governments worldwide to safeguard the human rights of LGBTQ+ individuals. Research conducted by UNAIDS emphasizes that protecting the rights of every person is crucial for ensuring public health, as it allows for equal access to health services without discrimination.

While progress has been made in the movement for human rights, with two-thirds of countries no longer criminalizing LGBTQ+ individuals, over 60 countries still do so. Additionally, 20 countries criminalize gender expression and identity, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community.

Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS, stressed the lethal impact of stigma, discrimination, and criminalization on LGBTQ+ individuals. She emphasized the importance of a human rights-based approach in addressing health crises like HIV and called for the removal of discriminatory laws to end AIDS as a public health threat for all.

Discrimination, violence, and criminalization push many LGBTQ+ individuals away from essential health services, leading to higher HIV prevalence among gay men, men who have sex with men, and transgender individuals. The criminalization of LGBTQ+ individuals has been linked to significant health disparities, with those in countries where such laws exist being more likely to live with HIV.

UNAIDS, along with other global health organizations, is advocating for the repeal of discriminatory laws based on sexual orientation and gender identity to promote equality and non-discrimination in the HIV response. The call to protect LGBTQ+ rights and end their criminalization is a crucial step towards achieving health equity and social justice for all individuals.