The Figures

Despite achievements in reducing AIDS-related deaths in the past decade and an overall decline in most countries, new infections among key populations are on the increase. In 2015, key populations and their sex partners accounted for 44 percent of new HIV infections globally and 25 percent in sub-Saharan Africa. The UNAIDS 2017 HIV data shows that the majority of new HIV infections occur among key populations. In many developing countries, access to HIV and other healthcare services by key populations has been limited because of stigma and discrimination, and the little recognition given to the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex communities and sex workers. To achieve a sustainable decline in HIV infections, therefore, there is an urgent need to provide inclusive HIV services that are free of stigma and discrimination and accessible to key populations. The goal of the Key Population Representation, Evidence, Advocacy for Change in Health (KP- REACH) programme is a reduction in HIV infections and HIV-related deaths among key populations through improved access by key populations to HIV prevention, testing and treatment services. It is implemented in eight Southern African countries – Botswana, eSwatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe – and the total funding is US$ 11.465 million by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) over a three-year (2016–2018) period.