The 2017 session of the Human Rights Council Social Forum took place in Geneva from 2 – 4 October. The event, co-hosted by UNAIDS and OHCHR, and co-chaired by the Governments of Brazil and Belarus, focused on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of HIV and other communicable diseases and epidemics (agreed upon in Human Rights Council resolution 32/27).
UNAIDS’ mission of helping people enjoy the right to social protection across their life cycle, independent of the HIV benefits of social protection, is essential to attaining the goal of ending AIDS. In this context, the Social Forum provides a space for open and constructive dialogue between member States, civil society, intergovernmental organizations and other stakeholders on issues linked to promoting a national and international environment for the enjoyment of all human rights by all.
Over the course of the three day event, experts discussed topics including:
- implementing health-related SDGs using a human rights-based approach;
- discrimination and the realization of the right to health;
- civil society’s role in the context of epidemics;
- community-led health programmes;
- health care workers on the frontline;
- engaging diverse partners;
- international cooperation for global responses and national implementation; and
- access to medicines, diagnosis, vaccines and treatment in the context of the right to health.
The event also provided an opportunity for UNAIDS to launch a new report, Confronting Discrimination: overcoming HIV-related stigma and discrimination in health-care settings and beyond. This report compiles evidence and highlights best practices on confronting stigma and discrimination to ensure access to health services.
All sessions were broadcast and are now available to view in the WebTV archive. A Facebook Live video with Christine Stegling from the International HIV/AIDS Alliance and Kene Esom, from the AMSHeR Board is also accessible here.