International

HIV is a truly global issue. Since the beginning of the epidemic, HIV has affected almost 70 million people. At the end of 2011, there were approximately 34 million people living with HIV worldwide. There are an estimated 2.5 million new transmissions every year. Although the burden of the epidemic continues to vary considerably between countries and regions, in every corner of the world, those living with HIV face the obstacles of obtaining health care, overcoming stigma, ensuring confidentiality, and achieving equal rights. Because HIV knows no borders, the response to these obstacles must also be global in its scope, entailing international institutions, national governments, regional bodies, and networks of community advocates. 

This HIV Policy Resource Bank category contains materials describing, analyzing, and implementing an international human rights-based approach to HIV issues on regional, national, and local levels. Resources include international conventions and declarations, United Nations committee reports and general comments, advocacy documents, and guidance on translating human rights norms into real and practical gains.