Koliswa Konkwane’s Post

When it comes to accessing life-saving treatments for diseases like #malaria, HIV and tuberculosis, women still face considerable barriers. A gender lens is needed to address this gap, tackle the roots of health inequality and progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 – achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls. In a recent discussion with Devex, ViiV Healthcare CEO and President of Global Health for GSK, Deborah Waterhouse elaborates on these barriers and what we can do to overcome them. Read the article: bit.ly/4fp1yhU

#WorldAidsDay2024 's theme is "Collective Action: Sustain and Accelerate HIV Progress." Check out the following video of Ciheb-Zambia DREAMS, celebrating ten years of empowering girls and young women to live healthy, AIDS-free lives.

Fresh Funding Empowering Communities: HIV Prevention for Black and Hispanic Men The CDC is calling for innovative interventions to prevent HIV among Black and Hispanic gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men and use substances. Learn more https://lnkd.in/geCe5fcs. Women Entrepreneurs Unite: AWE Canada 2025 The U.S. Mission to Canada is launching the 2025 Academy for Women Entrepreneurs. This is your chance to support and empower women in business. Find out more https://lnkd.in/gj-eA9Rv Entrepreneurial Spirit in Ethiopia: AWE FY2025 Join the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs in Ethiopia and help foster a new generation of female leaders. Details here https://lnkd.in/g7TXt8KK. Innovate with the U.S. Mission New Zealand Explore the U.S.Mission New Zealand Annual Program Statement for unique funding opportunities. Discover more https://lnkd.in/gdybMQzS.

. 1.November 25: International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women – This day marks the start of the campaign, focusing on eliminating violence against women and girls. 2. December 1: World AIDS Day – This day raises awareness about the global impact of HIV/AIDS, and there is often a focus on the link between gender inequality, violence, and the spread of HIV. 3. December 3: International Day of Persons with Disabilities – It highlights issues faced by persons with disabilities, including how gender-based violence disproportionately affects women and girls with disabilities. 4. December 5: International Volunteer Day – A day to celebrate and recognize volunteers who work towards social justice, including ending gender-based violence. 5. December 6: National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women (Canada) – It commemorates the women killed in the 1989 Montreal massacre and raises awareness of the ongoing issue of gender-based violence. 6. December 10: Human Rights Day – The campaign concludes on this day, reaffirming that gender-based violence is a violation of human rights.

Even on the hardest days, when it feels like there’s no light to offer, remember that simply surviving, holding on, and dreaming is its own kind of rebellion against the statistics. 🫶 🇿🇦 #WomenInTransformation The statistics: - HIV Prevalence: In 2022, HIV prevalence among women was almost double that of men (20% vs. 12%), with young Black women aged 15–24 being particularly vulnerable. - Young Women at Risk: HIV rates among women aged 20–24 are 8%, compared to just 4% for men in the same age group. This disparity worsens in the 25–29 age group, where women’s prevalence is three times higher than men. - Treatment Success: Women have better viral suppression rates (83%) compared to men (79%), but challenges remain for younger women, with suppression rates as low as 70% among those aged 15–24. - Unemployment: Black women face a significantly higher unemployment rate of 38.5% compared to other racial and gender groups in South Africa. This creates barriers to financial independence and access to resources. - Gender-based Violence: Over 50% of South African women experience some form of violence, with Black women disproportionately affected due to systemic inequalities. - Economic Inequality: Black women remain among the poorest demographic groups in South Africa, with limited access to economic opportunities compared to their counterparts. - Hate Crimes and Violence: Despite progressive legal protections, hate crimes, including "corrective rape," remain a significant issue for lesbian women. Black lesbian women in townships are particularly vulnerableHomepage. - Mental Health Disparities: LGBTQ+ women, especially those living with HIV, face heightened mental health challenges due to stigma, discrimination, and inadequate access to tailored healthcare.

In May 2024, members of the Digital Health and Rights Project, Caleb and Molly, attended the World Health Organization World Health Assembly. The assembly brought together an incredible team of international social scientists, human rights lawyers, health advocates, and networks of people living with HIV. 📖In this blog published on #wearerestless Caleb and Molly discuss the key learnings of the event and what comes next. 🔗Read https://bit.ly/3XjzSEJ

“A longer-acting ring means fewer insertions and clinic visits, which could lead to increased adherence and effectiveness as well as reduced annual costs, waste and environmental impact." In Spotlight NSP, our #CenterForBiomedicalResearchPC colleague Jeremy Nuttall and Brid Devlin share findings on the #DapivirineVaginalRing. Last month during #HIVR4P, Nuttall presented recent study findings that suggest the 3-month ring will be as effective as the 1-month ring, offering more choice in #HIVPrevention options to women. Read for more: https://bit.ly/4fbnsok

As we end the Month of March just to remind each other, we began the month on Zero discrimination day. New 10-10-10 targets state that by 2025 less than 10% of countries should have punitive legal and policy environments that deny or limit access to services, less than 10% of people living with HIV and key populations will experience stigma and discrimination, and less than 10% of women, girls, people living with HIV, and key populations will experience gender inequality and violence. These are ambitious targets and progress will have to be substantial in the next 5 years. Let us all Unite and love one another, recognise efforts and lend a helping hand.

On #WorldHealthDay, we underscore the critical role of gender-transformative approaches in healthcare for #HIV #TB and #malaria. The Global Fund's commitment to these approaches is essential in achieving gender equity and supporting the invaluable efforts of women, who constitute the majority of the healthcare workforce. It is imperative to sustainably fund and support these initiatives to protect and recognize the rights and contributions of all women in their diversity in healthcare #fundherhealth