STATEMENT TO HOPE UNITED CHURCH ON THE OCCASION OF WORLD AIDS DAY, 1 DECEMBER 2013

Today is the first of December and is marked globally as World AIDS Day. It is a day to especially remember the pressing priority that the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) continue to pose for people worldwide. In particular, it is a day to reflect on the lives that have been lost, the families that have been affected with and by the virus, and the devastating potential of the HIV/ AIDS epidemic to destroy economies and ruin social development. The Caribbean has not been spared. The AIDS prevalence rate in the Caribbean is second only to that of Sub-Saharan Africa. In Jamaica, we have an estimated 32,000 persons living with HIV or 1.7% of the adult population. All 14 parishes have been affected by HIV with a bias towards the most urbanized parishes. The highest concentration exists in parishes with high economic, social and tourism activities Kingston & St Andrew, St James, St Catherine, Westmoreland, St Ann, Hanover and Trelawny. Although the prevalence rate among the adult population aged 15-49 years is 1.7%, there are much higher rates among key and vulnerable subgroups and this is cause for tremendous concern. Among men who have sex with men (MSM) the rate is 32%; among female sex workers 4.2%; and among persons in the homeless person/drug user category the prevalence rate is 12%. These groups are described as key and vulnerable not only because of their higher HIV prevalence rates but also the stigma and discrimination and societal repudiation that they face drive them further underground away from the health information and services that they need. The so-called feminisation of the epidemic is evident in Jamaica and gender inequalities result in an increasing proportion of women being infected although the total AIDS case rates among men does exceed AIDS case rates among women. Prior to 1995 women accounted for 37% of persons reported with AIDS; in 2010 they accounted for 47%. The growing number of reported HIV and AIDS cases among women may be
!1

attributable to exposure through their MSM or other high risk male partners. The National HIV/STI Programme of the Ministry of Health has stated that prevention efforts must be targeted at MSM and their partners (including female partners), clients of sex workers, and heterosexuals engaging in high risk behaviours (multiple partners and low condom use) to maintain gains made in controlling the epidemic in the general population and to reverse the epidemic in the high risk groups. In order to mount a more effective HIV response, it is well recognised that the role of Faith-based organisations (FBOs) is critical. Globally, FBOs have been engaged in the HIV response now for many years and have made a tangible and measurable contribution especially in relation to home based care, direct provision of services and commodities, social justice and youth focused work. In the Caribbean, many FBOs are also already engaged at various levels in HIV prevention and services or have demonstrated leadership in the fight against HIV and AIDS. Given the considerable influence that FBOs have in shaping social attitudes, norms, beliefs and standards at the household, community and national level, we as a Church are well-placed to play an important role in reducing stigma and discrimination not only in relation to persons living with HIV but also to those most at risk and vulnerable. The people of Jamaica are depending on us to show this leadership, compassion, and recognition of fundamental human rights and, indeed, the future of our country and national development require us to do so.

! !

!2