UNAIDS estimates that in 2007, some 2.5 million people became infected with HIV, 2.1 million died of AIDS-related illnesses and more than 33 million people were living with HIV/AIDS. Although these figures are lower than in previous years due to more accurate surveys, HIV/AIDS continues to undermine global security, economic development and health
Social, political and cultural factors contribute to the spread of HIV. And yet these non-health factors are often overlooked in global policies and efforts to combat the disease. We work to address these issues at two levels: Locally, we support organizations and governments to find improved ways to curtail the spread of HIV and limit its impact. Globally, we work to ensure that global decision making reflects the diverse local realities of the world's HIV/AIDS epidemics.
We work to ensure that global efforts and decision making reflect the local realities of the world's diverse HIV/AIDS epidemics.
Key Strategies
We support people and organizations working on:
- Creating deep talent pools of professional and community leaders knowledgeable about the best practices for preventing and treating HIV/AIDS and supporting them in taking action to assist those living with the disease
- Ensuring equal access to HIV prevention, support and treatment, regardless of gender, sexual orientation or social or economic status
- Encouraging accountability and commitment among government officials, social and business leaders and cultural standard-setters
- Collaborating on approaches that bring together diverse individuals and groups to multiply the results of their efforts
- Strengthening understanding and advocacy to address underlying determinants such as gender inequality, lack of sexual rights, poverty and discrimination
- Building program links with people and organizations working in HIV-impacted sectors, such as microfinance; media, arts and culture; community development; and religion
Our grant making strategies in the fields of HIV/AIDS and Sexuality and Reproductive Health are deeply interrelated. Please review our work in this field to learn how our initiatives in these areas are linked.