On this World AIDS Day 2014, the BWI joins unions from around the world, in their call for governments to bring an end to the AIDS epidemic by 2030.
World AIDS Day draws together people from around the world to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and demonstrate international solidarity in the face of the pandemic. The Day is one of the most visible opportunities for trade unions to spread awareness about the status of the pandemic and encourage progress on workplace HIV/AIDS prevention policies.
Globally, 35 million people live with HIV, and 19 million of these do not know they are HIV-positive. Although HIV infections have dropped by 38% since 2001, there were 2.1 million people newly infected in 2013. Young women and adolescent girls are disproportionately at high risk, as more than 4 out of 10 new infections among women occur in 15-24 year old. There are also 22 million people with the disease who are not accessing life-saving treatment.
The figures underscore the critical role of workplace training, education, and concrete actions to address the pandemic across the world. For the latest facts and figures please see the UN AIDS 2014 report.
See World AIDS Day report 2014 here
The BWI trade unions continue to make progress on negotiating and implementing workplace prevention policies, and will be holding awareness raising events around the world.