World AIDS Day, celebrated on December 1, shines a light on the global fight against HIV/AIDS and calls for “Equal Rights, Equal Access” to treatment and prevention. This year marks 20 years since antiretroviral therapy (ART) became available, changing HIV from a deadly disease to a manageable condition for many. While big strides have been made, like improved testing and treatment access, challenges like stigma and treatment adherence still exist. Communities around the world come together to celebrate progress and remind us that the fight for healthcare equality continues. Together, we can ensure that everyone has the chance for a healthy life.
In April 2021, the Gauteng High Court in South Africa ruled that free public health services must be provided to pregnant women and children under six years old, regardless of nationality or documentation status. The ruling resulted from a case brought by SECTION27, a public interest law center, on behalf of women who were denied access to care. However, many immigrant women, especially those from Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Lesotho, Malawi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, still struggle to register for prenatal care.