Non-consensual sterilization of women living with HIV

Women living with HIV are stigmatized and discriminated against. They often wish to have children, but they are subjected to the practice of forced (involuntary) sterilization in at least 27 countries under the guise of protecting maternal health and preventing the birth of infected infants. Some women are not asked to give consent, or a third party consents on their behalf. Others are given insufficient information or fed misinformation. The circumstances under which such women have been asked to sign consent forms for sterilization include fear, coercion, intimidation and undue influence. Courts have been clear that such practice is a breach of human rights. But, so far, it has not been formally declared in courts that such practice constitutes discrimination. More needs to be done in terms of education, sanctions against those who carry out this practice and help for victims

Update on World Health Organization HIV Drug Resistance Prevention and Assessment Strategy: 2004-2011

The HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) prevention and assessment strategy, developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) in partnership with HIVResNet, includes monitoring of HIVDR early warning indicators, surveys to assess acquired and transmitted HIVDR, and development of an accredited HIVDR genotyping laboratory network to support survey implementation in resource-limited settings. As of June 2011, 52 countries had implemented at least 1 element of the strategy, and 27 laboratories had been accredited. As access to antiretrovirals expands under the WHO/Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS Treatment 2.0 initiative, it is essential to strengthen HIVDR surveillance efforts in the face of increasing concern about HIVDR emergence and transmissio