Gracia Violeta Ross calls on member states to be inclusive.
At a World AIDS Day event hosted by the World Health Organisation and UNAIDS, Gracia Violeta Ross, executive of the WCC Ecumenical Programme for HIV and AIDS Initiatives and Advocacy, made an important call to create an honest and equal workbench in responding to HIV. In his speech, Ross celebrated the strength of the community that has led the way in tackling HIV. "I hope member states listen because if we let the community lead, this will bring justice and be cost-effective," he said. "It should be an equal table." Ross, who has lived with HIV for 23 years, stressed the importance of recognising and closing gaps in HIV treatment. "The table must also be honest and fair," he urged. "Is there a technical gap between the organisation and the community? These are questions that need to be answered to ensure an effective response." Highlighting an inclusive approach, Ross called for avoiding condescending colonial attitudes. "Avoid the 'I'll save you' approach," he urged. "What society brings to the table is a lot and is explained in the report." Ross referred to the report "Let the Community Lead!" which is also the theme of this year's World AIDS Day. The report underscores the importance of authentically trusting and respecting people's knowledge and wisdom. "That means putting resources in place for communities to lead and implement," he said. "People with HIV carry more than our diagnosis. We bring experiences of what works and what doesn't work." With this call, Ross hopes that response measures to HIV can be more inclusive, equitable, and based on the wisdom of communities directly affected by the condition.
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