National Consultation on Legal Protection for People infected & Affected by HIV/AIDS

Human rights and HIV/AIDS are inextricably linked. The denial of human rights fuels the spread and exacerbates the impact of the disease, while at the same time HIV undermines progress in the realisation of human rights. This link is apparent in the disproportionate incidence and spread of the disease among Most at Risk Populations which invariably includes women and children, and particularly those living in poverty. The vulnerability as well as impact of HIV highlights the inequities and vulnerabilities leading to increased rates of infection among women, children, the poor and marginalized groups, and thereby contributed to a renewed focus on economic, social and cultural rights. In view of the same, a National Consultation on legal protection for National Consultation on Legal Protection for People infected &Affected by HIV/AIDS was jointly organized by the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on 21st December 2015 at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. The objective of the consultation was to deliberate on mechanisms for enhancing access to legal support by Persons living with HIV (PLHIV) and key populations and strengthen the mechanism of legal aid being provided by National Legal Service Authority , State Legal Service Authority & District Legal Service Authority and Taluk Level Service Committee.