The theme of the conference was ‘HIV in the post 2015 era: Linking Leadership, Science and Human Rights’.
KELIN’s Belice Odamna, who attended the conference, also participated in the pre-conference event. It’s theme was ‘Beyond rhetoric: Strengthening linkages to address stigma and discrimination.’ It was organized by the AIDS Rights Alliance of Southern Africa (ARASA). Ms. Odamna made a presentation on addressing stigma and discrimination in service delivery through litigation while focusing on the frowned upon practice of forced and coerced sterilization of women living with HIV. The outcome of the meeting was a consensus statement on the status of stigma and discrimination in sub-Saharan Africa.
During the conference, Ms. Odamna attended several sessions. Among them was one organized by the African Commission on People’s and Human Rights (ACPHR), UNDP and UNAIDS. The aim was to gather views of stakeholders, including civil society organisations, government representatives and HIV programme implementers on its upcoming study. The research title is, ‘HIV, the law and Human Rights in the Africa Human Rights System: Key challenges and opportunities for rights-based responses to HIV.’ KELIN will make submissions on the status of HIV and human rights in Kenya.
A declaration was made at the end of the conference by leaders, decision makers, scientists and activists across the African continent. It called for a sustained, efficient and effective resourcing of the AIDS response across the continent. This is in the framework of global solidarity and shared responsibility.
ICASA is a major international AIDS Conference that takes place in Africa biennially. It presents an opportunity to highlight the diverse nature of the African Regions HIV epidemic and the unique responses to it.
