The International Labour Organisation (ILO) says decent work and social protection can help close the HIV/AIDS
gap. A statement issued as the world
mark world HIV/AIDS day by the Director-General, Guy Ryder, to mark World AIDS Day 2014, said people living with HIV, on
the average, experience unemployment rates three times higher than the national
average. According to ILO, the theme:
“Closing the Gap–This World AIDS Day" is a
strong reminder that despite significant progress, world has left behind some
populations at heightened risk of infection. The statement adds that we can
only achieve the goal of ending AIDS by 2030 if we effectively address their
needs, which include decent jobs, respect for their labour rights and social
protection coverage. HIV-related discrimination, gender based violence and
inequalities remain major obstacles to the uptake of HIV services, including
testing. As of 2013, 19 million out of an estimated 35 million people living
with HIV worldwide more than half were unaware
of their HIV status. ILO says where stigma and discrimination are prevalent,
workers would be less likely to seek information, testing and treatment
services, for fear of losing their jobs and their livelihoods. To date, the
initiative has reached over one million workers and mobilized close to 500,000
to undertake the HIV test, 37 per cent of whom
are women. It reveals that the UNAIDS World AIDS Day Report 2014 shows how
successful we have been in breaking the conspiracy of silence, and bending the
trajectory of the AIDS epidemic. It said social protection must be expanded to
include people living with HIV and their households because it improves their
economic security and enables them to access and adhere to effective HIV
treatment.
Source:Ghananewsagency.com
No comments:
Post a Comment