“Anti-rights and anti-gender pushes are driven by political, conservative, and religious bodies that frame wrong understandings of gender as a ‘threat to the social good’. So, increasingly it seems that any progressive position on justice, whether it is social, racial, gender, sexual, economic, migrant, disability, climate, or ecological, is misunderstood as threatening and destructive to the dominant global order,” said Dr Angelique Nixon, Director, CAISO: Sex & Gender Justice, Trinidad & Tobago, and Senior Lecturer and researcher, Institute for Gender and Development Studies, University of West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago.
She added: “Particularly for those of us in the Global South, we have to understand that this global order is white supremacist, capitalist, and patriarchal, that sustains itself through division, fear mongering, and (wrong) beliefs that ‘a market will fix anything and will fix everything’ – and we know that it does not.”
“These anti-rights and anti-gender forces maintain social and political power and obstruct attempt that would challenge their ideological stance. And more specifically, Global North conservative organisations such as ‘Agenda Europe’ and the ‘World Congress of Families’ have funded anti-gender pushes internationally and held conferences in the Caribbean, namely in Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados. Their agendas include opposition to divorce, birth control, same-sex marriage, pornography, and abortion. In the Caribbean, anti-gender movements have blocked the provision of comprehensive sexuality education and intensified violence against LGBTQIA+ people and limited access to sexual and reproductive healthcare,” said Dr Angelique Nixon.
“In Trinidad and Tobago in 2018, High Court had decriminalised same sex sexual practices. The High Court judgement insisted that same sex sexual practices which are consensual should not be against the law and that it was in fact one’s constitutional right. 6 years since 2018, government did not advance any progressive changes in the law and for LGBTQIA+ rights. And then, government decided to appeal against the High Court judgment. We have just witnessed the overturning of the landmark 2018 High Court decision regarding the decriminalization of same sex sexual activities. Now as we understand, consensual same sex sexual practices have been recriminalized and made illegal, although punishment was reduced in some cases,” said Dr Nixon.
“This latest court ruling in Trinidad and Tobago to recriminalise same sex sexual practices is a grave, disappointing, and devastating blow to human rights. And it has far-reaching impacts on how we protect rights, citizenship, and people who are marginalized, especially in the context of this anti-gender and anti-rights pushes,” added Dr Angelique Nixon.
“Not just 4th Financing for Development (FfD4) but also United Nations High Level Political Forum HLPF 2025 has failed our communities. With only 5 years left to deliver on SDGs, not only progress on human right to health, gender equality and human rights is OFF THE TRACK by miles – but also receding in so many aspects. We need to unite and demand bold structural changes - The call is clear — Development Justice Now,” said a statement by Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development (APWLD).
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Transgender people are left behind in SDG discourses
“We cannot forget transgender communities when we talk about all the SDGs goals and targets. Unfortunately, transgender peoples have been sidelined and diluted within the larger spectrum of LGBTQIA+ peoples. Transgender organisations, institutions and individuals need to have opportunities as well as their own due space to push for their human rights,” said Abhina Aher, noted transgender rights activist; former Chairperson, Asia Pacific Transgender Network; Managing Director, TWEET Foundation (India).
“SDGs clearly states that “we cannot leave anyone behind.” This becomes even more important when it comes to those who are being left behind due to their sexual or gender expressions or identities, socio-economic status, and the separation they face from the broader society at large as well as from within the queer communities,” added Abhina Aher.
Global AIDS Update 2025 and recent funding cuts
“Recent global funding cuts could send the world back to levels of HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths not seen since the early 2000s. Next 5-years projection show that new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths globally can dangerously rise if the lost funding (both this year and in recent years) does not return. Many countries have reduced their investments and domestic funding is often inadequate to fully fund the AIDS response – which has been relying on external support,” said Eamonn Murphy, UNAIDS Regional Director for Asia Pacific, and Central Asia and Eastern Europe.
“Nine countries in Asia and the Pacific region have rising new HIV infection rates. 9 countries in the region have too low coverage of lifesaving antiretroviral treatments. Moreover, the region has been hit with funding crisis – and – overall HIV prevention crisis too. Between 2010 to 2024, there were 9 countries in Asia Pacific which reported an increase in newly diagnosed people with HIV. Fiji has the world’s fastest growing epidemic, new HIV infections increased by over 3091% in Fiji,” said Murphy.
“Along with Fiji, other countries in Asia Pacific where there was an upswing in the number of people newly diagnosed with HIV between 2010-2024 are: 562% rise in Philippines; 187% rise in Afghanistan; 84% rise in Papua New Guinea; 67% rise in Bhutan; 48% rise in Sri Lanka; 42% rise in Timor-Leste; 33% rise in Bangladesh; and 16% rise in Lao PDR. Between 2010-2024, there were 9 countries in Asia Pacific which are also treating less than half of the people living with HIV, such as Afghanistan (11%), Pakistan (16%), Fiji (24%), Philippines (40%), Bangladesh (41%), Indonesia (41%), Mongolia (41%), PNG (46%), and Maldives (48%),” said Murphy of UNAIDS.
“Compared to the decline in the number of people newly diagnosed with HIV between 2010-2024 worldwide (40%), the decline in Asia Pacific is far behind (17%),” said Eamonn of UNAIDS.
“Over the past decades, Africa has seen remarkable advances in the fight against HIV. According to UNAIDS, new HIV infections in Eastern and Southern Africa declined by 57% between 2010 and 2023 (more than the global average). Today, over 20 million people in sub-Saharan Africa are accessing antiretroviral therapy, a testament to the commitment of governments, communities, and international partners,” said Letlhogonolo Mokgoroane, Legal Representative and Head of Strategic Litigation and Research, OurEquity, South Africa; member of Johannesburg Society of Advocates.
“Yet, despite these gains, the journey is far from over. In 2024 alone, there were an estimated 800,000 new HIV infections in sub-Saharan Africa, and women and girls accounted for 63% of these. Adolescent girls and young women aged 15-24 are more than twice as likely to acquire HIV as their male peers. These numbers remind us that HIV remains a public health crisis. But HIV is not just a medical issue—it is deeply intertwined with social, economic, and legal factors. To truly end HIV as a public health threat, we must look beyond the virus itself and address the broader context in which it thrives,” added Letlhogonolo.
“Only 40% of young women in sub-Saharan Africa have comprehensive knowledge about HIV prevention. In some countries, less than 50% of women have access to modern contraception. Gender-based violence remains alarmingly prevalent: in South Africa, a woman is killed every three hours, and one in three women has experienced intimate partner violence. Survivors of violence are at a 50% higher risk of acquiring HIV,” said Letlhogonolo.
“Criminalization of same-sex relationships and sex work drives key populations underground, away from essential health services. In 31 African countries, same-sex relationships are still criminalized, making it difficult for LGBTQIA+ individuals to access HIV prevention and care. Sex workers, who are 13 times more likely to be living with HIV than the general population, often face harassment and violence, further increasing their vulnerability. Laws and policies that discriminate against people living with HIV, LGBTQIA+ individuals, sex workers, and other marginalized groups not only violate human rights but also fuel the epidemic. For example, in Nigeria, the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act has led to a 41% decrease in access to HIV services among men who have sex with men,” added Letlhogonolo.
Prevention revolution necessary to protect everyone from HIV and STIs
“Asia Pacific has a prevention crisis. The reduction of new infections has flatlined. Every 2 minutes a new person contracts HIV in our region today. Every hour we have 35 new HIV infections including 9 among young people. Every single day, we have over 300 men who have sex with men, over 80 persons who inject drugs, over 50 sex workers, and over 15 transgender persons, newly infected with HIV in the region. 79% of new HIV infections were among key populations and their partners: 43% among men who have sex with men, 7% among sex workers, 12% among persons who inject drugs, 2% among transgender peoples, among others. Criminalisation and marginalisation deepen their vulnerability making it harder for HIV key populations to access services – and less likely to engage with the services available. Not just HIV prevention is flatlined in the region but also HIV testing and treatment have only increased marginally since 2023,” said UNAIDS leader Eamonn Murphy.
Decriminalising sex work removes legal barriers to justice, health access and human dignity
“We are calling for the full decriminalisation of sex work because sex workers deserve to work in safe, free, and dignified spaces. Right now, criminalisation puts sex workers at risk — it makes them more vulnerable to violence, police abuse, stigma, and poor health access. Decriminalisation would mean sex workers can report crimes without fear, access healthcare without judgment, and work without hiding. It is not just a legal issue —it is about human rights, health, and safety. Every sex worker deserves to be protected, respected, and free to choose how they live and work,” said Pam Ntshekula is a dedicated advocate for the rights and safety of sex workers and Lobbyist Officer, Sex Workers Education and Advocacy Taskforce (SWEAT), South Africa.
“Many sex workers avoid clinics due to stigma and mistreatment. Full decriminalisation ensures safe, respectful access to SRHR services. Criminalisation limits condom use, outreach, and health education. Decriminalisation creates safer environments for prevention and care. Constant fear of arrest, violence, and shame harms mental wellness. SDG3 includes mental health — sex workers deserve safety and peace of mind,” added Pam. “Sex workers face high levels of rape, assault, and abuse — often from police or clients. Decriminalization allows them to report violence and access justice. Many transgender women and queer people rely on sex work to survive. Gender equality means protecting all genders and identities. Decriminalizing sex work fully is the single most powerful move to remove legal barriers to health access, justice, and human dignity.”
Address intersectional stigma faced by transgender people
“Self-stigma is a major issue confronted by transgender communities. For example, a transgender person could be married because of the family pressure, or have children, or be living with HIV or have survived TB. So, there could be multiple stigma and discriminations that can impact the transgender health and social welfare at multiple levels. Intersectional work to address intersectional stigma and discrimination faced by transgender peoples is so critically important and with funding cuts, it has become even more acute. There are a lot of transgender people who have been thrown out from their workplaces just because they are transgenders. I have lost my job - I was working with USAID. I have lost my job just being a transgender person. Lot of transgender people have lost their job,” said Abhina Aher, Chief Executive of TWEET Foundation and former Chair of Asia Pacific Transgender Network.
Right to health and gender equality are intrinsically linked
“Right to health cannot be dislocated from gender equality and human rights. We have to ensure that gender equality and human right to health are recognized as fundamental human rights in all countries. Progress towards SDG-3, continues to be stunted in the Asia Pacific region, such as on universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights; communicable and noncommunicable diseases; universal health coverage; and access for all to safe, effective, quality and affordable disease prevention tools like vaccines, diagnostics and medicines,” said Shobha Shukla, Lead Discussant for SDG-3 at the United Nations High Level Political Forum (HLPF 2025).
“Gender disparities significantly impact health outcomes and evidence shows that SDG-3 goals cannot be realised without addressing SDG-5 on gender equality. Rise of anti-rights and anti-gender ideologies, including the regressive Geneva Consensus Declaration, the most recent trend of defunding development assistance for gender equality and health, the impact of austerity measures in debt-ridden countries, deprioritisation of health spending, and poor domestic resource allocation on health, are contributing to reversal in progress towards SDG-3,” said Shobha Shukla.
“Essential health services must include sexual and reproductive health services - including safe abortion and post-abortion care, menstrual health hygiene, and mental health services, with particular attention to women, adolescent girls, persons with disability, indigenous peoples, gender diverse communities, older people, young people, migrant workers, refugees, people living with HIV, sex workers, people who use drugs, among others. They must also include all health and social support services for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence,” she added.
“Each of SDG goals and targets are interconnected. For example, studies show that countries with higher gender equality have lower rates of HIV infection among women. In Botswana, legal reforms to protect women’s property rights have led to increased economic independence and better health outcomes. We cannot achieve health without justice. We cannot achieve justice without upholding rights. And we cannot uphold rights without addressing the root causes of inequality and exclusion,” said Letlhogonolo.
We have to ensure that health responses are people-centered, gender transformative and rights-based for all, without any condition or exclusion. With 5 years left to deliver on SDG-3 and SDG-5 and other SDGs, we appeal to governments to step up their actions on gender equality and human right to health - where no one is left behind.
SHE & Rights (Sexual Health with Equity & Rights) session was co-hosted by Global Center for Health Diplomacy and Inclusion (CeHDI), International Conference on Family Planning (ICFP 2025), Family Planning News Network (FPNN), International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), Asian-Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women (ARROW), Women’s Global Network for Reproductive Rights (WGNRR), Asia Pacific Media Alliance for Health and Development (APCAT Media) and CNS.
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