Global Celebrities Stand in Solidarity to “Take the Rights Path to End AIDS”
This World AIDS Day, December 1, 2024, a coalition of 16 notable global celebrities is stepping up to support UNAIDS’ call for world leaders to embrace human rights as a cornerstone in their efforts to end AIDS. This powerful assembly includes acclaimed figures such as Hollywood star Luke Evans and internationally renowned singer-songwriter Sia. The message they carry is clear: safeguarding human rights is fundamental to halting the AIDS epidemic successfully.
A Star-Studded Initiative
Among the celebrities joining this noble cause are:
- Actress and comedian Margaret Cho
- Comedian and poet Alok Vaid-Menon
- Fashion designer and TV personality Tan France
- Actor Alan Cumming
- Broadcaster and comedian Stephen Fry
- Actress Uzo Aduba
- Moroccan artist OUM
- South African actress Thuso Mbedu
- Chinese actor and singer Huang Xiaoming
- Professional football player Racheal Kundananji
- Pakistani-British actor and comedian Mawaan Rizwan
- Filipino model and actress Pia Wurtzbach
- Ukrainian singer and TV host Vera Brezhneva
- Popular TV presenter Erkin Ryzkullbekov
These individuals are united in their support for the UNAIDS initiative, championing the message to “Take the Rights Path to End AIDS.” This global call emphasizes the vital role of human rights in combating the epidemic.
The Imperative of Human Rights
Broadcaster and comedian Stephen Fry stated, “The choice is clear if we want to end AIDS as a public health threat. World leaders must take the rights path to protect people’s right to health and life. When human rights are respected and guaranteed, their lives improve significantly because they can freely seek healthcare, including HIV prevention and treatment.”
Comedian and poet Alok Vaid-Menon added, “In far too many countries, people are criminalized for who they are or who they love. When LGBTQ+ people are criminalized, they are driven underground and out of reach of health services, including services to prevent and treat HIV.”
Challenges and Opportunities
The UNAIDS report underscores that 63 countries still criminalize LGBTQ+ people, a barrier that hinders progress. Furthermore, the discrimination faced by girls and women—from denial of education to exposure to gender-based violence—also undermines global efforts to address HIV. Alarmingly, in 2023, women and girls accounted for 62% of new HIV infections in sub-Saharan Africa.
Margaret Cho emphasized, “We all win the fight against AIDS when human rights and the right to health are secured for everyone everywhere. By promoting rights, respect, and dignity for all, we can end AIDS as a public health threat.”
Impact on Women and Girls
Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS, highlighted the critical need for education and testing for young women, stating, “When girls cannot access education and information, when young women cannot access HIV prevention and testing, they are at much greater risk of acquiring HIV.”
The Path Forward
The UNAIDS World AIDS Day report, “Take the Rights Path to End AIDS,” reveals that achieving success against AIDS is possible if the human rights of those affected by the virus are respected, protected, and fulfilled. This ensures equitable, accessible, and high-quality HIV services.
In 2023, there were 1.3 million new HIV infections worldwide—significantly higher than the global target of no more than 370,000 by 2025. As the report strongly indicates, “To protect everyone’s health, we need to protect everyone’s rights.”
UNAIDS: Leading the Fight Against AIDS
UNAIDS is at the forefront of global efforts to realize zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination, and zero AIDS-related deaths. It unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—such as UNHCR, UNICEF, and WHO—and collaborates with global and national partners to strive towards ending the AIDS pandemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more about their efforts by visiting unaids.org and connect with them on their Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube channels.
This article originally appeared in a UNAIDS press release published on December 1, 2024.
Further Reading
- World AIDS Day 2024
- UNAIDS Report Shows that Upholding Human Rights is Vital for Ending the AIDS Pandemic
- Update: Celebrate the Life of Cornelius Baker, Esteemed and Beloved HIV Advocate
- Hopeless for the Holidays? Advice to Help You Cope
This initiative and information highlight the pressing need for a unified global effort to ensure that the rights of those affected by HIV are upheld, ensuring a healthier and more equitable world.
Source: https://www.poz.com/article/global-celebrities-unite-behind-unaids-call-world-leaders-take-rights-path-end-aids