UN support for policy development and implementation to engage uniformed services personnel in HIV responses and in addressing sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV)
Historically, the response to HIV has emphasized the importance of policies and programmes to address the HIV-related service needs of uniformed services personnel themselves. However, there is growing evidence that engaging uniformed services personnel as agents to address HIV as well as broader health and social issues has the potential to bring about far-reaching changes. For example, there have been positive results from involving uniformed services personnel in countering inappropriate application of criminal and administrative laws and harmful law enforcement practices, implementing initiatives to eliminate HIV-related stigma and discrimination, and addressing SGBV and gender inequalities. Joint UN Teams on AIDS have an opportunity to support countries in Asia and the Pacific to build on a shared policy agenda and leverage existing investments in the uniformed services architecture to generate broad public health and social justice benefits.
Several recent international commitments made by Member States, and recommendations by other landmark initiatives, such as the Global Commission on HIV and the Law (see Annex 1), call for increased positive engagement of the uniformed services sector in the HIV response and social justice efforts.
There are three broad policy and programmatic areas to engage uniformed services personnel:
• providing HIV prevention, treatment, care and support for uniformed services personnel and their families;
• creating an enabling environment for HIV responses, including social justice benefits; and
• addressing SGBV against women, girls and key populations at higher risk of HIV, including men who have sex with
men and transgender people.
That is a good idea. as an uniformed police officer in kenya, I sincerely Support Harm reduction and the action taken by UNAIDS. I encourage them to extend the same to AFRICA especially kenya.
Good Idea: If we have to fight HIV and Aids and reduce it to Zero tollerance. The uniformed play a crucial role because they have been the biggest impediment to it’s prevention alongside the law they have been Mandated to enforce.
Its i great idea en really support it having in mind that the uniformed police can decrease the rate of infection of HIV . I request you extend the initiative in Africa region especially in Kenya . Thanks