This crisis continues to disproportionately affect women and girls, especially adolescent girls and young women (AGYW), who bear the brunt of the HIV epidemic. However, the intersection of these two public health crises is not merely a matter of statistics. It is a human rights issue that requires urgent action and accountability from all sectors of society.

For many South African women, GBV and HIV are not isolated experiences but intertwined realities that rob them of their dignity, safety and access to essential health services.

The statistics are stark: Women make up nearly 60% of all adults living with HIV in South Africa, and young women aged 15 to 24 are more than eight times more likely to be living with HIV than their male counterparts. These numbers should be a wake-up call, yet the lived reality of countless women and girls continues to reflect deep inequalities and human rights violations.

GBV strips women and girls of their most fundamental rights: The right to safety, the right to bodily autonomy and the right to seek medical treatment without fear of stigma or rejection. For young women and girls living with HIV, this intersection is even more perilous.

Survivors of violence often face tremendous barriers when seeking medical care — fear of discrimination and rejection in healthcare settings deters them from accessing treatment. This creates a vicious cycle where violence and stigma fuel the spread of HIV, and HIV, in turn, perpetuates vulnerability to further violence. It is a cycle we can no longer afford to ignore.

The government's 2019 five-point approach to combat GBV, although well-intentioned, has yet to produce meaningful change on the ground. Many survivors still find themselves with limited access to the support services they need to heal and thrive.

Young people, particularly those living with HIV, continue to advocate for:

  • better treatment access
  • adolescent-friendly services
  • adolescent inclusion in HIV policy dialogues
  • literacy around bio-medical interventions with proven efficacy like PrEP and PEP, and
  • access to commodities like condoms and access to longer-term treatment options. 

There remains an urgent need for more accessible resources, including youth-centred educational material that empowers them to navigate their HIV care and treatment options.

As we reflect on the importance of treatment access and participation in HIV response strategy, non-state actors, like the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), have a crucial role to play in driving this change through advocacy and adaptable service delivery.

For years, AHF has been at the forefront of advocating for increased access to HIV treatment and services, strengthened policies that are informed by community engagement and focusing on marginalised populations whose needs are often overlooked.

This work is imperative, as it directly addresses the barriers to testing, treatment and adequate care, exploring responses to intersections like GBV and responding to how GBV creates barriers to accessing HIV care in partnership with GBV-focused partners.

To truly address the complex relationship between GBV and HIV, we need a multisectoral approach — one that unites government, civil society and private organisations. GBV prevention must be integrated into HIV programming, ensuring that survivors not only receive the care they need but are also supported by a holistic system that includes mental health services and safe spaces for healing.

Importantly, we must break the silence and stigma that surround both GBV and HIV. This requires challenging harmful gender norms, promoting inclusive care and fostering a culture of support that recognises the lived experiences of women and girls.

Equally important is the need for robust youth participation in HIV response strategy development. Young people, especially AGYW, must be active participants in shaping the policies and services that affect their lives. Their voices and perspectives are essential to creating HIV interventions that are both effective and inclusive. It is time to engage them not only as beneficiaries of services but also as partners in decision-making processes that affect their health and well-being.

The upcoming G20 summit presents a unique opportunity to prioritise the health and safety of women and girls on the global stage. Countries like South Africa must lead by example, demonstrating that women's health is a human right, not a negotiable commodity. The HIV and GBV crises are inextricably linked and any solution to one must address the other.

Now, as we reflect on World AIDS Day 2024 with many commemorations still underway and are looking to International Human Rights Day, the call to 'Take the Rights Path' has never been more urgent. We must act decisively and without delay. The lives of women and girls, particularly those living with HIV, depend on it. Let us demand the rights that are rightfully theirs — because their health, dignity and future matter. 

For more information, visit www.aidshealth.org. You can also follow AHF on Facebook, LinkedIn, X, or on Instagram. 

*Image courtesy of contributor