HIV is still here.

In keeping with the international theme 'Getting to Zero', SH&FPA will continue to liaise with organisations to support efforts to reduce the burden of HIV and AIDS.

While we applaud the recent fall in the number of people dying of AIDS-related illnesses to 1.8 million, from 2.2 million in the mid 2000s (UNAIDS, 2011); we must be mindful of the continued toll that HIV related stigma, unequal access to antiretroviral therapy and gender inequality has on the world's most vulnerable populations: women and children.

SH&FPA continues to target HIV through our national and international policy and advocacy work. In particular, with our sexual health and family planning services in the Pacific, through our membership of the steering committee of the Asia Pacific Alliance for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, and through being Australia's Member Association of the International Planned Parenthood Federation.

We also welcome the announcement that the 20th International AIDS Conference (2014) will be held in Melbourne, Australia. This conference is AIDS 2014 is organized by the International AIDS Society (IAS) in partnership with selected government, scientific and civil society partners from Australia and the wider Asia Pacific region, as well as international partners from civil society and the United Nations.

If you would like to contact us about our role or what you can do to help, please call or email.

Please see the below links for more information:

UNAIDS World AIDS Day Report 2011

International Planned Parenthood Federation: AIDS and HIV

International Aids Society