The South African Human Rights Commission is concerned that despite various interventions, HIV/AIDS, driven largely by various forms of violence, continue to have a devastating impact on the enjoyment of human rights by both of women and girl children.

The Commission therefore appeals to the government and all its departments; business; NGO’s; faith-based organizations; traditional leaders and healers, to commit themselves to meeting many targets that have been set in the fight against HIV/AIDS, especially as they relates to the protection and promotion of human rights  of women and girl children.

We also urge the government to reaffirm its commitment to fight HIV/AIDS through some of the regional and international women-empowering agreements and protocols, on HIV/AIDS, and women's human rights – which include the Convention on Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) (1979); Vienna Declaration on Human Rights (1993); International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD Plan of Action (1994); Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995), All the African Regional Conferences on Women; The Millennium Declaration (2000); Protocol to the African Charter on the Rights of Women in Africa (2003); Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa (2004).

In addition the Abuja Declaration on HIV and AIDS, Tuberculosis and other Related Infectious Diseases of 2001 and the UNGASS Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS of 2001 were under review in 2006, present clear opportunities for heads of state and governments to promote and protect African women's and girls' rights in order to mitigate the impact of the HIV and AIDS epidemic.

This year’s theme for World AIDS Day is “Stop AIDS; Keep The Promise.” The theme is directed to all people, but specifically to leaders in the fight against HIV and AIDS. This theme highlights the need for innovation, vision and perseverance in the face of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, (AIDS) pandemic that is ravaging our country. The campaign calls on all sectors of society to take an initiative and provide leadership on AIDS.

The Commission reiterates the views of other institutions working in the HIV/Aids sector that human rights standards are not an optional extra but are central to the battle against the virus. Women’s social exclusion, economic deprivation and discrimination, are integrally linked to HIV/ AIDS. Most of them are on the margins of society and are denied access to their most basic human rights -- to freedom from discrimination, to education, to physical integrity, to economic security , and as result they become the most vulnerable to HIV infection."

Due to high prevalence rate of HIV/Aids we would like to call for a concerted effort in reducing new infections through appropriate sexual behavior and the elimination of sexual violence against women and girl children, while at the same time providing treatment and care to those need it.

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Enquiries: Steven Ngobeni SAHRC HIV/Aids Coordinator on 082 976 4267 or

Vincent Moaga on SAHRC Media Relations on 073 562 9866

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