The 2024 International AIDS Conference was truly an event like no other, and my colleague Mary Elias and I were incredibly fortunate to attend. Held in Munich, the conference brought together a diverse group of scientists, policymakers, healthcare professionals, activists, people living with HIV/AIDS, and various communities to engage and chart a path toward ending HIV/AIDS. The knowledge exchanged and connections made were phenomenal, creating a powerful and inspiring space.
Three experiences stood out that perfectly encapsulate the principle of "Putting People First!"
Firstly, the presentation of the 7th case of HIV cure was a highlight. A 60-year-old German man living with HIV, who was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, underwent a blood cell transplant in 2015. He stopped his antiretroviral treatment in late 2018 and has been in prolonged HIV remission ever since. While I was in awe of the advancements in HIV cure research, I could not help but think about the risks and complexities of such procedures and the hope that one day these interventions might be accessible to all people living with HIV. Significant investments have been made in research, but as researchers acknowledged, finding a safe and scalable HIV cure has been challenging due to the virus’ interactions with the immune system. These recent results reinvigorate the call for more to be done. While there is hope, and as we wait for a cure, Dr. Meg Doherty, Director of WHO Global HIV, Hepatitis & STI Programmes, remarked, “the global HIV response must continue to promote HIV testing, expand effective ART coverage, and focus on reaching the people most affected and at greatest risk.”
Secondly, I had the pleasure of being part of the opening ceremony of the Global Village Women Networking Zone (WNZ) and participating in several sessions. The WNZ was the feminist epicenter for sharing information and experiences on the intersections of gender and HIV/AIDS. Kudos to ATHENA Network for rallying feminists to claim and hold this space! The panel discussions during the opening session underscored the importance of gender equality in ending AIDS and reminded us that HIV is fundamentally a gender justice issue. In her opening remarks, UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima shared worrying statistics on HIV infections among adolescents and young women. Every week, 4,000 adolescent girls and young women (AGYW aged 15–24 years) become infected with HIV worldwide, with 3,100 of these infections occurring in sub-Saharan Africa, where 6 out of 7 new HIV infections in adolescents (aged 10–19 years) are among girls. AGYW continues to endure most of the HIV epidemic.
The session also shed light on the inequalities girls and young women face that drive these crisis levels. The adoption of the 2024 Resolution 56/20 on Human Rights in the Context of HIV and AIDS was discussed, emphasizing the need for comprehensive education on sexual and reproductive health, including “sexuality and comprehensive HIV prevention, gender equality, and women’s and girls’ empowerment.” HIV responses must therefore address the root causes of gender inequalities that put girls and young women at risk.
Thirdly, the call for integrated service delivery echoed through sessions on co-morbidities, mental health, and person-centered service delivery. There were different presentations on integration models implemented across various countries, particularly the integrated delivery of HIV and NCD care and mental health services. Prioritizing mental health and holistic care for people living with HIV, especially LGBTQ+ individuals, children, young people, and older persons, could unlock what some have called the ‘4th 90’—ensuring people living with HIV have a good quality of life. However, this has not been the case for many countries. The responsibility lies with governments to test and scale integrated service delivery models, ensuring that integrated service packages are tailored and delivered in ways that place people at the center. As evidence shows, integrated care can help rapidly reduce inequalities in the HIV response and support Universal Health Coverage.
Our small contribution to the conference was hosting a session on ‘Navigating HIV and Aging: Intergenerational Insights from Women’s Experiences’ in the Global Village Women Networking Zone, moderated by Edinah Masiyiwa from WAG-Zimbabwe. It was an intergenerational dialogue that began with a brief presentation of a research study on aging women living with HIV in Zimbabwe by Tendayi from PAPWIC-Zimbabwe. My colleague Mary and Moud from Zvandiri/Beyond Stigma then joined the panel to unpack HIV and aging through shared lived experiences and an interactive audience discussion. We also shared practical self and collective care strategies for holistic health and how to use food as medicine to stay healthy.
The amazing Dorothy Onyango from WOFAK Kenya was supposed to be part of the panel but, unfortunately, missed it due to delays in visa processing. A considerable number of delegates from African countries, invited as speakers and abstract presenters, missed the conference for the same reason. Activists at the conference were outraged, putting the host country in the spotlight. They questioned the under-representation of low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) in conferences due to visa delays and denials and called for a lasting solution.
My colleague Mary Elias moderated a session on Abortion and HIV, which provided insights into the realities of accessing SRHR services for women and girls living with HIV. We also had the chance to display our work and interact with different individuals and organizations visiting our booth at the Global Village. Co-sharing the space with the Network of Women Living with HIV in Nigeria brought more vibrancy and color, with the display of beautiful Ankara pieces designed and created by HIV-positive women from Abuja as part of their economic empowerment initiative.
I left the conference feeling invigorated and inspired, but also a little anxious about the road ahead. The International AIDS Conference serves as a powerful reminder of the many achievements we need to celebrate amidst the ongoing struggles. It was also a reminder that our job is not done yet, and now, more than ever, governments, along with global and local communities, need to unite and invest more to reach the goal of ending the epidemic and ensuring quality of life for people living with HIV.