Paris declaration on women, children and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS

Paris Declaration on women, children and the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) s5 T he International Confer-ence on the Implications of AIDS for Mothers and Children was held in Paris from 27 to 30 November 1989, to hear scientific presentations and to discuss the policy implications of human immunodefi- ciency virus (HIV) infection for these important population groups. Based on the discussions and findings from the Conference, the assembled Ministers of Health and their representatives declare: Considering the extensive scientific and psychosocial implications presented by HIV infection/AIDS in women, child- ren and families, and bearing in mind the need to consider the problems of AIDS in mothers and children in the light of a broad approach to the health of women, children and families and the goal of Health for All by the Year 2000; Recognising that the AIDS pandemic - closely associated with problems of drug abuse - has a particularly adverse effect on women and children, and that they are both increasingly exposed to the risk of HIV infection and also suffer 16 1 To assume leadership and to mobilise the necessary resources, both human and financial. to actively support the prevention and care of HIV infection/ AI OS in women and children, particu larly in those countries that are most affected and with the greatest economic need, and in conformity with the Global AIDS Strategy. 2 To enhance the role of and the social economic and legal status of women and children; to ensure full participation of women in AIDS pro- grammes at all levels; and to respect the human rights and dignity of women and children, including those who are HIV- infected. · United Nations stamp produced for the worldwide struggle against AIDS. extensively from · the social and economic impact of HIV . infection/ AIDS; Recognising that the deterioration of the economic situation in many coun- tries adversely affects the health and social status of populations, and in particular, that of women and children; Recalling the recent adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly, the World Health Assembly, and the London Declaration of January 1988 on AIDS prevention and, in particular, the need to respect the human rights and dignity of people infected with HIV, their families and those with whom they live; Acknowledging the leading role of the World Health Organization in the guid- ance and coordination of AIDS du- cation, prevention, control and research and noting with appreciation the efforts of the World Health Organization/ United Nations Development Pro- gramme Alliance, United Nations Popu- lation Fund, United Nations Children's Fund, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and other intergovernmental organizations in contributing to the implementation of the Global AIDS Strategy; Emphasising the efforts of national AIDS programmes and the role of 3 To further develop and implement innovative, multi-faceted health education programmes for prevention of HIV infection/AIDS. Information and education programmes for and by young people, including adolescents, should emphasise their responsibilities to prevent the spread of infection to themselves and in their role as future parents. 4 To emphasise the need to prevent stigmatization and discrimination against people with H IV infection/ AI OS and those at risk, in all areas of life and for all services, including school. governments, non-governmental and voluntary organizations, and the public and private sectors in implementing the Global AIDS Strategy at all levels; Considering that the prevention and control of HIV /AIDS for women and children requires strengthening and improving the primary health care system, education, and other psycho- logical and social support programmes for women, children and families; Campaign against the AIDS risks of drug abuse in the United Kingdom. Therefore, given the urgent need to promote and protect the health of women, children and families, we appeal to all governments, the United Nations system, within which the World Health Organization has the responsibility of directing and coordinating the global fight against AIDS, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, the scientific community, health and social professionals and the public at large: 5 To ensure adequate recognition of the problem of AIDS and HIV infection for all affected populations by developing and maintaining effective national epidemiological surveillance and case reporting systems. 6 To ensure that the HIV/AIDS pre-vention and control programmes be coordinated or integrated with all other programmes for women, children and families, particularly maternal and child health, family planning and sexually transmitted disease control programmes, and to review and strengthen the poli- cies and management of the health and other social services with due con- sideration to women's perspectives. WORLD HEALTH. November-December 1990 7 To ensure that HIV testing is offered to women and children as an integral but voluntary part of health programmes, including counselling and other psychosocial support, with due respect to confidentiality. 8 To promote safe motherhood for all women and ensure that HIV- infected women receive appropriate information and have access to health services. including family planning, counselling and other psychosocial support so that they can personally make informed decisions about childbearing. j 9 To ensure that HIV/AIDS preven-tion and control programmes pro- vide · necessary support for families affected by H IV I AIDS by mobilizing health and social services to respond to emerging needs. including for families that suffer discrimination, that are not able to provide child care, or for those children who are abandoned or orphaned. ~~-'----------~- 1 0 To emphasise availability of and access to necessary health care, including treatment, and to other social and support services for HIV-infected women and children, including recom- mended immunizations. 11 To continue to promote, develop and support program- mes for breast-feeding as a basic component of a sound health and nutrition policy. 1 2 To ensure adequate and safe blood collection and transfusion services, including use of appropriate screening tests and indications for trans- fusion. 1 3 To recognise the close link between HIV infection/AIDS and drug abuse. which increases the risk of H IV transmission. and to assure availability of comprehensive health care, including drug abuse treatment and prevention programmes to minimise the risk of HIV infection of men, women and unborn children by this route. 1 4 To ensure that appropriate priorities and resources are devoted to research on HIV infection/ AIDS in women, children and families. and to develop joint research program- mes, including programmes on preven- tion, diagnosis, treatment, medical care and the broader related issues affecting health and social conditions of women and children. The research should also focus on the alternative approaches to providing health and other social services for HIV affected women, child- ren and families. ·~ I 1 5 To recognise the crucial role of women in the Global AIDS Strategy and to accelerate the process of ~ · empowerment of women against AIDS. ~ W ORLD HEALTH, November-December 1990 The Paris Declaration appeals for eHorts to "promote safe motherhood for all women and ensure that HW-infected women receive appropriate inlonnation. "Also "to provide necessary support for families affected by HW /AIDS .. . and child care for those children who are abandoned or orphaned."