November/December 2005

WORLD AIDS DAY 2005

The PGPD highlighted World AIDS Day, 1 December, by issuing a press release and making speeches in Parliament.

PGPD supports further research on microbicides

In its press release, the PGPD called for increased resources for the development of microbicides as a woman-centred prevention method in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

There are currently 40 million people living with HIV globally, the overwhelming majority of these live in developing countries. Women make up almost half of all cases and are socially, biologically, economically and culturally more susceptible to infection. AIDS has taken 20 million lives to date and UNAIDS estimates if current trends continue by 2020 AIDS will have claimed up to 100 million lives.

The PGPD said "Microbicides have the potential to provide women worldwide with a discreet and effective form of protection from HIV. The fact that this form of prevention does not rely on male cooperation empowers women."

Speeches in Parliament

PGPD members made speeches in Parliament to highlight World AIDS Day.

In her speech, Kelly Hoare MP drew attention to the fact that women are more susceptible to contracting HIV. She also said "the international community must work together and talk about HIV-AIDS to bring this growing epidemic to heel." Download speech.

PGPD Vice-Chair Senator Claire Moore also highlighted the fact that the face of AIDS increasingly is women. She spoke of the need to put greater resources into developing new women-centred prevention methods such as microbicides. "Women can initiate and control the use of these microbicides, and it is not dependent on male cooperation. They offer a real option and an ability to negotiate the terms and nature of sexual relations." Download speech.

PGPD Hon Secretary Senator Marise Payne highlighted the contribution being made by the Australian Government to addressing the issue of HIV/AIDS in our region. "It is important to place on the record the contribution of the Australian government, in this region particularly, and the commitment that we have made through AusAID, matching concern with action and resources, culminating in a $600 million commitment over 10 years to 2010 to battle against HIV, most particularly in this region." She also spoke about the newly re-formed parliamentary liaison committee on HIV/AIDS. Download speech.

Tanya Plibersek MP spoke about HIV/AIDS in Australia, and also highlighted the development of microbicides as a potentially new prevention method. "They are not yet available but tests are being conducted in Africa, with around 10,000 women taking part in trials. The trials are at an early stage but the results are looking good... It means that women whose partners refuse to wear condoms will still be able to protect themselves against infection". Download speech.

Message of Thoraya Obaid, Executive Director, UN Population Fund (UNFPA)

In her message on World AIDS Day, Thoraya Obaid stressed the importance of the role leaders must play in combating the pandemic.

"It is time to praise leaders in communities and nations who have advanced efforts to prevent HIV infection in the first place. Tackling HIV/AIDS means tackling prevention, treatment and care simultaneously."

While noting women's particular susceptibility to becoming infected, she called for a focus on behaviour change among men in the fight against the pandemic.

"In many countries, marriage and women’s own fidelity have not protected them against HIV infection. If prevention efforts are to succeed, they need to be complemented with efforts to engage men for more responsible behaviours and promote and protect the human rights of all women."

Full statement

MEMBER NEWS

New members

PGPD welcomes new members Senator Anne McEwan and Hon Penny Sharpe MLC (NSW Parliament).

World AIDS Day meeting

On 1 December Senator Marise Payne hosted a meeting with Ms Thabisile Khoza, who has been working on Oxfam's HIV/AIDS project in South Africa for many years. PGPD members and other parliamentarians spoke with Ms Khoza about the AIDS epidemic in Africa, the specific programs Oxfam is implementing, and the work of parliamentarians as advocates.

Meeting of NSW state members of PGPD

PGPD members from the NSW State Parliament held their first meeting, attended by Secretariat staff, on 9 November. Those present decided to register the PGPD in the NSW Parliament as an official interest group. Members were pleased to have the opportunity to learn about the work their federal colleagues have been undertaking, and brought some ideas on what they can do to further the objectives of the PGPD at the state level. Hon Meredith Burgmann MLC, President of the Legislative Council, will act as Convenor of the NSW Group.

ASIAN FORUM OF PARLIAMENTARIANS ON POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT (AFPPD)

PGPD Vice Chair Senator Claire Moore and John Hyde MLA (WA State Parliament), AFPPD General Assembly, Jakarta

General Assembly

The 8th triennial General Assembly of the AFPPD was held in Jakarta, Indonesia, from 12 - 13 November 2005. The President of Indonesia, H.E. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, opened the GA, which was attended by 120 parliamentarians from Asia and the Pacific as well as Central Asia. The PGPD was represented by Vice Chair Senator Claire Moore and John Hyde MLA (WA State Parliament).

Parliamentarians reviewed the work of AFPPD, discussed future direction, and considered the evaluation report by the external consultant. It was also decided that a commemorative volume on AFPPD be published in celebration of AFPPD’s 25th anniversary. Senator Moore gave a presentation on the work of the PGPD over the past three years. Click to download the presentation (PowerPoint or PDF).

Long-time PGPD member Kelly Hoare MP stepped down from her position as AFPPD's Chair of the Standing Committee on Women. In this position she instigated the annual Asian Women Parliamentarians’ and Ministers’ Conference, which provides specifically women parliamentarians and ministers in the region with the opportunity to meet, learn from one another and learn more about population, development and reproductive
health issues. Chair of the New Zealand Parliamentarians' Group on Population and Development, Ms Steve Chadwick MP, was appointed to the position for the next three years.

Mr Yoshio Yatsu MP, who has served as AFPPD Chairman for the past five years, also stepped down. Mr Yasuo Fukuda MP (former Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan) was elected to the position of Chairman of AFPPD.

Click here for further information about AFPPD.

Click here to download Senator Moore's speech in the Senate after the General Assembly.

Senator Claire Moore giving a presentation at the AFPPD General Assembly

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

UNICEF calls on society to help children affected by HIV/AIDS

UNICEF is pushing for support networks to be set up to aid children orphaned by AIDS and those forced to care for infected family members. AIDS could render parentless up to 18 million children in sub-Saharan Africa by the end of 2010. Download full article.

16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence

This worldwide campaign ran from 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to 10 December (Human Rights Day). This year's theme For the Health of Women, For the Health of the World: No More Violence focused on the link between HIV and violence against women and girls. Visit the UNFPA website for stories, videos and other resources showcasing UNFPA's efforts to address this human rights issue.

NEW RESOURCES

New resources on HIV/AIDS have been added to the PGPD web site:

Focus Group on HIV/AIDS and Domestic Violence

PGPD members Hon Dr Meredith Burgmann MLC (NSW Parliament) and Louise Pratt MLC (WA Parliament) will represent the Group at this meeting 17-18 December in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

PGPD meetings for 2006

The Secretariat is currently organising the PGPD's program of activities for 2006. It is likely to include visits from local and international representatives who will speak on the integration of HIV and sexual and reproductive health (SRH), SRH programs in our region, and indigenous health.

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