UNAIDS Welcomes Creation of New UN Body for Women

At the “Chia se Club” (Sharing Club), Da Bac village, Lien Son commune, Luong Son district, Hoa Binh province.

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) weIcomes the merging of four gender entities of the United Nations into UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The new entity will provide a powerful voice for women and girls and help move the AIDS response forward.

“I look forward to working with UN Women,” said UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé, “ Together we can ensure that all women living with HIV access treatment when they need it. And most importantly, we can restore their dignity and rights.”

Nearly half the people living with HIV in the world are women. In Viet Nam, the difference between the number of men and women living with HIV is gradually decreasing.  HIV is a major cause of maternal mortality. It is behind nearly 1 in 5 of all maternal deaths. 

Gender inequities, violence, lack of access to education, health and economic opportunities are making women vulnerable to HIV.

But by teaming up and working on common goals the AIDS movement and the women’s movement can dramatically reduce the impact of HIV on women and their families.