Florence Riako Anam, our Co-Executive Director shared a keynote speech during the Thematic Segment at 54th PCB NGO Delegation on “Sustaining the gains of the global HIV response to 2030 and beyond”.
Good morning to you all,
One of the most memorable experiences from my work at the Kenya Network of Women with AIDS (KENWA) a year after my HIV diagnosis, was participating in the ‘memory book project’ that initially started off as a legal support to write our wills but was quickly adapted as many of us really had nothing to leave our children. Many of us had lost our jobs or been kicked out of marital homes blamed for our husbands’ deaths, ostracized from community and just going on day by day.
Everyone has their HIV and AIDS story, mine began as a hopeless and sad one but has evolved with resilience into a story of radical hope for the future. I am here because I am privileged to access lifesaving treatment that has suppressed the virus in my body to undetectable viral load. I cannot transmit HIV because Undetectable = Untransmittable.
The inspiring collaboration of Governments, Donors particularly PEPFAR, the Global Fund, UNAIDS, Civil Society and communities showcases the bold commitment and impact of the global HIV response. Bold because a lot of decisions have been made for the “first time” in the HIV response more than in any Global health epidemic or disease. HIV taught us inclusive, right based, person centered caregiving and the efficiency of integration. It is a testament to the truth that we must acknowledge now more than ever; that great science is better with people in it from the start.
You will hear from my fellow community representatives today about what made this success possible and what is needed now as we all engage in re-imagining and recommitting towards 2030 Global goals and sustaining the response.
I would like to share some reflections informed from my engaging with the various sustainability conversations I was invited to from various partners in this room, from our own organising under the Future of AIDS Movement initiative together with all the Global People Living with HIV and Key Populations Networks and from our GNP+ collaborative convenings with PLHIV leaders in countries.
- Language and Message: Language matters. What we say will gather the global solidarity needed. This is an opportunity for a narrative shift, and we must use it. To communicate differently about HIV and the people most impacted by it. To be very clear what this process is or isn’t and to be transparent with us, communities about how the changes in this process are likely to impact our lives. What is the message now at crossroads? in 2026? In 2030? and most importantly, who is the steward/champion for the sustainability agenda particularly at country level?
- Secure commitments to quality of services and social enablers; It is critical to define the standard packages of service delivery and mechanisms for addressing and monitoring social enablers. With an increased aging population, young people born with HIV now need reproductive health services. For all people living with and impacted by HIV Integration offers opportunities for management of co-morbidities, noncommunicable diseases, STI screening, testing and treatment. It should not come at the cost of quality-of-service delivery. It matters to communities that at the center of this process of change, mechanisms must secure continuity of quality care for all who need treatment and prevention services that are inclusive and devoid of Stigma and Discrimination.
- Community engagement and leadership in advocacy, demand creation, service delivery, research, Community Led Monitoring has significantly contributed to the success of the HIV response. This has been made possible by the support of Core funding through various mechanisms like Robert Carr Fund that have ensured community led organisations are registered, functional and have autonomy for advocacy and accountability work.
People Living with HIV will be here in 2031. And I know it’s easy to find similarities between managing HIV and any other chronic disease, but I want to assure you it is not the same. No one is stigmatised, risks arrest or persecution for living with Diabetes or Hypertension. This is not the story for many People living with HIV or Key Populations. It is why we must acknowledge its uniqueness.
Because I have radical hope, I believe this is also a time to invest in research for HIV cure and vaccine. An opportunity for a world where the HIV story has a different outcome for ALL people living with and impacted by HIV; that which doesn’t end with death. The people poised to lead the world on this momentous journey towards a resilient HIV response are sitting or represented in this room today. What a responsibility.
Thank you.
