Women and HIV Testing: Policies, Practices, and the Impact on Health and Human Rights

Date:
July 2008
Source:
Open Society Foundations

HIV testing has rarely been higher on the global AIDS agenda, and many governments have made commitments to scale up testing in their countries. However, critical issues regarding the testing of women have yet to be addressed. 

This fact sheet looks at UNAIDS and WHO guidance on testing, as well as local and international laws, and provides information on the impact of HIV testing policies on women's health and human rights. In particular, the fact sheet examines HIV testing for pregnant women and mandatory premarital testing.

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Related Information

HIV Testing and Human Rights: Resources and Fact Sheets
January 2011
HIV testing is an important part of a comprehensive approach to HIV prevention and treatment, if it is provided in a way that respects basic human rights. However, there is growing evidence that in many countries women and marginalized groups are subjected to HIV testing practices that put them at risk of discrimination, and even violence.

Mandatory Premarital HIV Testing: An Overview
May 2010
A growing number of governments and religious communities require HIV tests before allowing couples to marry. This booklet examines how mandatory premarital HIV tests infringe on the human rights of people living with HIV and are out of line with public health guidelines.

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Global Civil Society Forum on Antiretroviral Therapy for HIV Prevention
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This meeting report documents a civil society forum convened by the Open Society Foundations to discuss proposals to scale up antiretroviral treatment in order to prevent the transmission of HIV.

The Role of Human Rights in Ensuring Universal Access to HIV Testing and Counselling
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The Open Society Foundations, UNAIDS, and the World Health Organization produced this meeting report on developing concrete strategies and specific activities to overcome political, systemic, and technical barriers to ensuring human rights in the practice of HIV testing and counselling.

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