- Target:
- United Nations
- Region:
- Canada
In September, 2000, all 192 member states of the United Nations signed onto the Millennium Development Goals, making a commitment to achieve 8 goals that focus on international development. Under these 8 goals, 21 targets were set as a means to ensure the goals would be achievable. All targets were signed and agreed to be met by the year 2015.
All except one.
Under Goal 6, “Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases”, one target was set to be met by September 2010: “To achieve universal access to treatment for HIV/AIDS to all those who need it”.
We would like to bring the focus especially to the different capacities in which women are affected and effected by HIV compared to men:
- Women are biologically more susceptible to contracting HIV
- Women are affected by the persistence of systemic factors and inequalities, resulting in limited access to treatment services
- Once infected, the number of illness prevalent among women, such as pelvic inflammatory disease, cervical cancer and breast cancer make women more likely to transition to AIDS faster than men
(From, Ontario Women’s and HIV/AIDS Working Group, 2006).
Therefore it is clear: As of March, 2010 the target of universal access to HIV treatment is not being met. As a result, this means the goal of combating HIV/AIDS is also not being met.
We, undersigned residents of Canada, demand more action by the United Nations in collaboration with member states to combat HIV/AIDS worldwide.
Specifically, we demand:
-More attention and action be directed to the target of providing access to HIV/AIDS medication for every person that requires treatment;
- Significant action be taken to ensure women globally have access to HIV/AIDS education;
- Dedication in providing treatment options for all women affected by HIV/AIDS
We understand that between 2003 and 2008, access to HIV treatment increased from 7% to 42% globally, with specific attention being paid to Eastern and Southern Africa. However, this means that 58% of those who require treatment do not have access (From, UNAIDS AIDS Epidemic Update, December 2009).
As stated in the 2010 Canadian Federal Budget, "spending on international assistance is to be frozen". With this recent announcement, we believe it is even more important now to demand change and hold our government, as well as other member governments, accountable to their commitment to the Millennium Development Goals.
During International Women’s Week, 2010, we the undersigned residents of Canada, have joined together to ask you, the United Nations, to demand more to ensure the proposed target for Millennium Development Goal 6 is achieved.
You can further help this campaign by sponsoring it
The Taking a Stand to Combat HIV/AIDS petition to United Nations was written by Ashley Mikitzel and is in the category Health at GoPetition.