International womens dayfoundation urges elimination of mother to child transmission of hiv aids

International Women's Day is celebrated on March 8th every year to recognize the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. This year, the theme of International Women's Day is "Empowering Women, Empowering Humanity: Picture It!"

In line with this theme, the International Women's Day Foundation is urging the elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission (MTCT) of HIV/AIDS. MTCT is the transmission of HIV from a mother to her child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding. This is a significant public health issue, as it is estimated that 1.4 million children under the age of 15 are living with HIV, and the majority of these children acquired the virus from their mothers during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.

The International Women's Day Foundation is calling for the elimination of MTCT of HIV/AIDS because it is a critical step towards achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. The foundation is also highlighting the importance of empowering women and girls to take control of their health and well-being, and to make informed decisions about their reproductive health.

To achieve the elimination of MTCT of HIV/AIDS, the International Women's Day Foundation is urging governments, healthcare providers, and civil society organizations to work together to:

  1. Increase access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) for pregnant and breastfeeding women living with HIV.
  2. Implement prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) programs that include antiretroviral therapy, cesarean section, and exclusive breastfeeding.
  3. Provide comprehensive care and support to women living with HIV, including counseling, testing, and treatment for other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
  4. Promote gender equality and empower women and girls to make informed decisions about their reproductive health.
  5. Increase awareness and education about HIV/AIDS, particularly among women and girls.

By working together to eliminate MTCT of HIV/AIDS, we can help to reduce the number of new HIV infections among children, improve the health and well-being of women and girls, and achieve the SDGs.