Topic: Rights of HIV-Positive Individuals
Country: South Africa
Delegate Name: Rebecca Kost
School: Williamston High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All South Africa position papers GLIMUN 2010 committees
South Africa is by far the country who has taken the most heat from the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa. With an astounding 5.7 million people battling HIV/AIDS, South African citizens are being subjected to discrimination based on their health and whether or not their infected. Among the groups most targeted are women, children, homosexual males and IV drug users, all of which are mostly young adults. While this epidemic is indeed threatening the lives of millions, it’s also infringing upon their rights in a negative way, causing South Africa to rethink their constitution and laws within it.
The issue of determining rights for HIV/AIDS positive people in South Africa is important not only to grant equality to those infected but also for the country itself. South Africans have been struggling with discrimination and hardships based on this widely spread epidemic, and while actions are been taken to treat the disease, there’s no hope for it disappearing over night. Being an epidemic that has shaken the country since the 1980’s, many delegates and government officials are speaking out on the need to combat HIV/AIDS with not only medicine and drugs but also new laws. The discrimination itself against HIV-positive citizens doesn’t illustrate South Africa’s desire to move forward and grant rights and freedom to those combating the disease. Despite no political or military allies, neutral South Africa can still be compared to other African nations who are also working on reforming rights for HIV-positive individuals.
It is obvious South Africa is ready for change just by observing the government’s activity in the last few years. New ideas and programs based on the testing and treatment for HIV/AIDS has significantly increased over the years. The country has shown an apparent interest in equalizing the social status and leaning away from discrimination of infected people. By making a conscious effort to regain control , South Africa is eager to increase the rights of HIV-positive people, which makes sense due to the fact these people make up a lot of the population. 18.1% of the South African population currently has HIV/AIDS. When looking at similar countries it is obvious this is a high percentage. It is in South Africa’s best interest to increase the rights of HIV/AIDS positive people while also educating the population on prevention techniques. With equality playing a larger role in the social status of South Africa than ever before, the country is hoping to focus on medical research regarding treatment and a potential cure for HIV/AIDS, and also other more important issues the country is currently facing.
Although the South African government is making a conscious effort to improve the awareness of the many HIV/AIDS prevention campaigns, more needs to be done for the people suffering from the disease. All around the world, people are suffering not only from the disease of HIV/AIDS but also from the discrimination of others. These people risk losing their jobs, being banished from the communities they live in as well as being denied equal access to goods and services. Not only that, but these people aren’t even being protected by the law in some circumstances. Deportation of HIV-positive individuals is common and the danger this is imposing to citizens of South Africa is heartbreaking. South Africa is moving forward with laws and regulations to stop this discrimination and break in the population. Discrimination has divided the country of South Africa and is affecting the lives of not just those battling HIV/AIDS. The necessity to reform economic, political and social codes in this country is dire, and fortunately the country has already began with some. South Africa is consciously trying to reduce and eradicate the number of discriminatory policies evident in the country today.
