“The year 2031 will mark the 50th anniversary since the discovery of HIV, “ says Dilmitis, “I hope by then we would have drastically reduced HIV infections.” Women and girls are particularly at risk of HIV infections. Women make up 48% of all people living with HIV, and the proportion of women infected with HIV is increasing in Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America. In sub-Saharan Africa, the region most affected by AIDS, 60% of all adults and three out of four young people living with the virus are female.

Poverty, gender inequality and violence against women fuel the HIV pandemic among women. “By 2031, human rights should be respected and upheld for all people—including women and girls,” says Dilmitis as she prepares for her participation at the meeting, “only then can we be sure that people will be able to access necessary health services in order to deal with HIV as a chronic illness.”

The meeting, hosted by Google in California from March 11-13, is not about what should be done in 2031, but what can be done now to change the face of the pandemic by 2031. Imagining life 23 years from now, Dilmitis hopes for an HIV vaccine, effective microbicides and more accessible antiretroviral treatment with fewer side effects. To ensure these are achieved, political will is paramount. “People die unnecessarily due to the lack of political commitment from some governments,” Dilmitis explains.

Governments, international organisations, civil society and corporate sector must commit to reducing the prevalence of HIV. But, individuals have a role to play too. “When we look back and are asked 'what did you do?'—every single person should have contributed to addressing HIV in some way," says Dilimits who will challenge participants at the meeting to commit individually to make a change in their community, workplace, school or home. By signing the YWCA Nairobi 2007 Pledge to Action on HIV and AIDS, participants will be invited to take leadership into their hands and commit to ten key areas of action—areas that if addressed, will drastically reduce the prevalence of HIV among women and girls.

About aids2031

aids2031 is a consortium of partners who have come together to look at what we have learned about the AIDS response as well as consider the implications of the changing world around AIDS in order to chart options for the long-term response. This initiative is preparing for today and for tomorrow.

About the YWCA Nairobi 2007 Call and Pledge to Action on HIV and AIDS

The YWCA Nairobi 2007 Call to Action on HIV and AIDS was launched at the International Women’s Summit on Women’s Leadership in HIV and AIDS hosted by the World YWCA in July 2007. The summit was the first international conference to focus on women’s leadership and AIDS. Based on existing knowledge and evidence about the life experience of women and girls around the world, the Call to Action identifies 10 key areas that if addressed, will drastically reduce the prevalence of HIV among women and girls.

Sign the accompanying Pledge to Action today to show your commitment to creating sustained changed for women and girls, particularly those infected and affected by HIV and AIDS

Related Links

• YWCA Nairobi 2007 Call to Action on HIV and AIDS
• International Women's Summit, July 2007
• Invest in women and girls, says World YWCA
• World YWCA response to HIV and AIDS

External Links

• aids2031
• UNAIDS