Devex: Opinion: The U.K. needs stronger political leadership — and investment — to fight AIDS
Roberta Blackman-Woods, MP for the city of Durham

“…[T]he disproportionate impact of HIV on marginalized groups, especially in middle-income countries, is further evidence of the systemic inequality that underpins our societies globally. … In the global HIV response, stigma, discrimination, and criminalization are key issues that must be tackled before we can end the epidemic. … [W]e must prioritize equality of access to HIV prevention, treatment, and care, and continue to invest. … The U.K. must increase its contributions to multilateral organizations working on the HIV response, including the Global Fund, UNAIDS, and UNITAID, if we are to meet the [Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)] target on AIDS. Beyond the financing, the U.K. also has a critical role to play in using its political leadership and global influence to promote and protect the rights of the groups at the greatest risk of being left behind. … The job won’t be done until even the most marginalized groups have access to HIV services. Until then, we must continue to invest in the HIV response and be a vocal global leader for human rights and evidence-based interventions” (12/1).