Action on extreme poverty and inequality to end AIDS: Addressing HIV, Poverty, and Inequality in Urban Settings

Action on extreme poverty and inequality to end AIDS:  Addressing HIV, Poverty, and Inequality in Urban Settings

17:00 – 18:30

Venue:  UN Conference Room 11

It is now established that social and structural deprivation are key drivers of the HIV epidemic and that intersectoral approaches that address key social and structural determinants of vulnerability will be required in order to end the AIDS epidemic. Available evidence demonstrates the effectiveness of a range of structural approaches in simultaneously strengthening HIV prevention and treatment while bolstering other development aims. These approaches range from economic empowerment, to social protection programs, to transformative approaches such as decriminalization, anti-discrimination laws and campaigns to change social norms. Cross-sector, rights-based responses are particularly critical for members of disparately impacted key populations experiencing substantial rights violations and barriers to accessing services.

This side event will focus on the role and potential of intersectoral programming and rights-based responses to support the Fast Track Cities initiative by addressing social and structural drivers of extreme poverty, inequality and the ongoing HIV pandemic in urban settings.

The event will be organized by the co-conveners of a series of expert consultations on the related goals to end poverty, inequalities and the AIDS epidemic by 2030, hosted by World Bank and co-sponsored by UNAIDS, UNICEF, UNDP, the ILO, PEPFAR and Housing Works.

Focal point:  Farnaz Malik, f.malik@housingworks.org