International HIV/AIDS Alliance broadens its remit

The International HIV/AIDS Alliance has reflected its growing commitment to linking sexual and reproductive health with HIV and human rights by changing its charity objects.

It means an increased priority to carry out wider health activities and human rights work.

“Promoting human rights, integrating sexual health and HIV and working to eliminate stigma and discrimination enable comprehensive HIV responses and reduce barriers to HIV services,” explained Alliance Executive Director Alvaro Bermejo.

“The charitable objects of the Alliance date back to its creation in 1993. We felt that they needed to better reflect the Alliance’s purpose today. This includes expanding the links with sexual and reproductive health and human rights.”

In India, for example, women are relegated to lower status than men, and their vulnerability to HIV is increased as they are denied access to education, financial resources, healthcare and protection from violence. Women living with HIV face even greater stigma and discrimination than their male counterparts.

The Alliance has been addressing the increased feminisation of HIV with a project to meet the sexual and reproductive health and HIV-related needs of women from low-income families.

“By integrating sexual and reproductive health with HIV responses the Alliance can reach a wider range of women and make referrals to health, legal and social welfare services,” said Sonal Mehta, Director of Policy and Communications from Alliance India.

The Alliance has set itself an ambitious programme of expansion to increase its level of support for communities to take action on HIV and provide care and support for those with HIV-related illnesses.

“This change to our charitable objects will ensure we are fit for purpose as the Alliance continues to grow and evolve,” said Alvaro Bermejo.

The new charity objects are:

  • the advancement of health throughout the world, particularly in relation to HIV and to sexual and reproductive health;
  • the promotion of the effective use of charitable resources by civil society organisations advancing health, particularly in relation to HIV and to sexual and reproductive health;
  • the promotion of human rights (as set out in the UN conventions and declarations) particularly by the following means: relieving need among the victims of human rights abuse; research into human rights issues; educating the public about human rights ; providing technical advice to government and others on human rights matters; raising awareness of human rights issues; international advocacy of human rights and eliminating infringements of human rights;
  • the relief of poverty or other charitable need among people affected by HIV, including their families and dependents, in addition to ensuring that they are healthy;
  • the promotion of equality and diversity by the elimination of stigma and discrimination in relation to people affected by HIV.

The Alliance trustees proposed the change in objects in 2007. They were accepted by the Charity Commission and adopted at the Alliance AGM in April 2008.

For more information, photos or interviews contact:

Sarah Wheeler on: 01273 718949 swheeler@aidsalliance.org

Simon Moore on: 01273 718744 smoore@aidsalliance.org

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Notes to Editor

  • The International HIV/AIDS Alliance (the Alliance) is a global partnership of nationally-based organisations working to support communities to reduce the spread of HIV and meet the challenge of AIDS. The Alliance provides support to organisations from more than 40 developing countries for over 3,000 projects, reaching some of the poorest and most vulnerable communities with HIV prevention, care, support and improves access to treatment. www.aidsalliance.org
  • The Alliance’s original objects were to promote the relief of persons who are suffering with HIV/AIDS and advance the education of the public concerning the symptoms, prevention and consequences of HIV/AIDS.
  • In 2007 around 2.5 million people were newly infected with HIV and over 2 million people died of HIV-related illnesses.
  • Barely 1 in 4 people are accessing HIV treatment and 1 in 5 are accessing basic prevention services. The UN and G8 agreed to a target to achieve universal access to HIV prevention, care and treatment by 2010.
  • For photos and interviews please contact Sarah Wheeler on: 01273 718949 or Simon Moore on: 01273 718744.