Little was known of SARS-CoV-2 a few months ago. However, since then this highly-contagious virus has spread worldwide and has created enormous turmoil all around the world. It has caused major devastation to health, economies, education and has percolated through almost all aspects of daily living. Health systems have been stretched or overwhelmed in many parts of the world. As of writing, there are over 8.2 million infections worldwide and over 400,000 have died. In South Africa, currently there are 83,000 infections with a mortality over 1700.

Health care providers have great potential to be powerful change agents. As they overcome biases and offer quality, gender-sensitive, transformative services, they can help clients make voluntary and informed decisions about their family planning needs, improving both gender equality and reproductive health outcomes.

Healthcare workers are exhausted, stressed, and at high risk for physical and mental illness as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to take its toll in South Africa. Top South African medical, clinical, and professional associations are collaborating to bring much much-needed support and care to healthcare workers across the country. The following organisations provide mental health support to health care workers and communities  

Thirty years into the HIV response, there is growing recognition that engaging men will be key to reaching the global UNAIDS fast‐track targets of 90‐90‐90 by the end of 2020 – whereby 90% of people living with HIV know their status, 90% of those who know they are positive are on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and 90% of those on ART are virally suppressed [1].

The first virtual International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2020) is on! Check out the IAS YouTube channel to access video clips from the conference.

AIDS 2020: Virtual enables delegates to access and engage with the latest HIV science, advocacy and knowledge traditionally presented at the conference. It will be a compelling combination of virtual sessions and community networking, including exhibitions, workshops, the Global Village, satellites and pre-conferences, that will reach audiences around the world.

Restrictions in movement, social isolation and increased socioeconomic pressures around the world have led to an increase in violence against women and girls since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to UNAIDS. In South Africa, Sonke Gender Justice highlighted that 2,230 gender-based violence cases were reported during the first week of the national lockdown (March 2020). The organization launched a #SPEAKOUT campaign to draw attention to this issue. Watch the video to find out how to help.