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Published on March 14, 2025

On February 5, 2025, Dahdaleh community scholar Rajnish Prasad delivered an insightful seminar on Human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) among Women in Asia Pacific. He provided a regional overview of the HIV epidemic highlighting country wise variations and the challenges faced by women living with HIV (WLHIV).

The seminar outlined key statistics from UNAIDS 2023, revealing that 6.5 million people in the Asia Pacific region are living with HIV. Among those population, 2.4 million being women. While new infections and AIDS related deaths have declined, progress remains uneven across countries. Some nations such as Nepal and Indonesia have seen significant reductions in new infections whereas others like the Philippines and Papua New Guinea have experienced alarming increases.

Prasad emphasized structural barriers to HIV prevention and treatment including gender inequality, stigma and socioeconomic factors. The seminar highlighted that 78% of people living with HIV in Asia Pacific know their status but only 65% are on treatment, which falls short of global targets. Additionally the discussion addressed the intersection of HIV and gender based violence. Data showed that many women in the Pacific Islands experience intimate partner violence which can prevent them from accessing HIV services. The issue of coerced sterilization among WLHIV in countries like Nepal and Indonesia was also raised during the seminar.

The seminar concluded with strategies to support WLHIV including economic empowerment, legal protections and gender transformative interventions. Case studies from Ethiopia and Kenya showed effective community based approaches. Prasad's talk underscored the urgent need for policies that integrate HIV prevention with gender equity and social justice to improve outcomes for women in the Asia Pacific region.

Connect with Rajnish Prasad.

Watch the seminar here:

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