People living with HIV are often assumed to have no rights to enjoy active sex lives, their sexual health is often ignored, and their reproductive rights frequently denied. GNP+ is addressing these issues proactively through a number of programs. The aim of this platform is for people living with HIV to enjoy full, pleasurable sex lives and have access to a range of reproductive options.

New prevention technologies

Vaginal and rectal microbicides have the potential to prevent vulnerability to HIV. They may benefit people living with HIV by reducing their risk of infection with new or resistant strains of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and thereby enhancing their sex lives. Microbicides are user-controlled, which is important for women who cannot negotiate condom use with their male sex partners or who do not wish to use condoms (for instance, those who want to conceive). Ensuring that promising microbicide candidates are safe, affordable, and responsive to users? needs requires ongoing and targeted research. GNP+ recognises the importance of microbicide research and believes it is important for the network to be at the forefront of cutting edge information on microbicide development. GNP+ participates in the Global Campaign for Microbicides, and the International Working group of Rectal Microbicides

Global Consultation on the Rights of Women, Men and Young People Living with HIV to Sexual and Reproductive Health

As HIV treatment becomes more accessible in many countries, people living with HIV are regaining their health, living longer, and in the process, struggling with a substantial number of SRH issues, such as repeated requests to disclose their HIV status, HIV discordance, safer-sex strategies, infecting partners, family planning, pregnancy and gender-based violence. Archaic laws, policies and harmful cultural practices often violate the sexual rights of people living with HIV. These include criminalizing sexual behaviour on the basis of HIV status, penalizing people living with HIV who wish to marry and start a family, and requiring injecting drug users and sex workers to provide personal information or register with government agencies before receiving services. In cooperation with ICW and Young Positives, the global consultation will an advocacy paper will be produced on sexual and reproductive rights and needs of PLHIV.

Sexual and Reproductive Health Issues

There are many issues that affect the sexual and reproductive health and rights of PLHIV. GNP+ provides policy and programme input from the perspective of PLHIV addressing these issues and promoting the possibility of PLHIV to achieve full sexual and reproductive health (SRH).

The greater focus on the public health approach to HIV has led to virus containment strategies that affect the sexual and reproductive choices available to PLHIV. Policies developed for testing, prevention, breast feeding and access to safe abortions have contributed to a negative environment for PLHIV, adding to stigma and discrimination.