President Mnangagwa Highlights Women’s HIV Burden at ICASA Conference

At the 22nd bi-annual International Conference on Aids and STIs in Africa (ICASA), President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe underscored the grave impact of the HIV epidemic on adolescent girls and women. Highlighting that a staggering 63% of new HIV infections are accounted for by women, Mnangagwa drew attention to the persistent challenge HIV poses particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.

Emphasizing the Need for Continued Focus

Mnangagwa urged for a sustained focus on the issue, cautioning against complacency and emphasizing that AIDS continues to pose a significant threat to sustainable socio-economic development. He also underscored the importance of strategizing action plans to ensure sustainability of HIV funding. The Zimbabwean president shared experiences from his country's National Aids Trust Fund, highlighting the importance of intra-Africa collaboration and home-grown measures to reverse the disease burden on the continent.

Addressing Disparities and Ensuring Comprehensive Funding

UN resident coordinator Edward Kallon echoed Mnangagwa's sentiments, praising Zimbabwe's progress while underscoring the remaining challenges. Kallon underlined the disparities in access to HIV services as a major concern and stressed the need for comprehensive funding, capacity-building, and an environment that promotes community involvement and respect for human rights. He emphasized the necessity of focusing on marginalized groups in these efforts.

Addressing Gender Inequality and Sexual Violence

Kallon also called for addressing gender inequality and sexual and gender-based violence as key factors in combating the HIV epidemic. The ICASA conference, boasting over 4,000 delegates in attendance and approximately 2,000 online participants from over 100 countries, is a pivotal event for discussing and strategizing on the AIDS crisis in Africa.

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