Watch: Why HIV is a Human Rights Issue

Human rights play a critical part in addressing HIV, especially among disadvantaged populations, be they transgender or those who use injection drugs, sex workers or the world's poor, or gay and men of color. For example, the exploitation of women and children interferes with their accessing health care, repression against LGBT individuals keeps people in the closet, reprisals against those who are positive keeps people from getting tested.

Here the staff of FHI 360's LINKAGES project share their perspectives on how these and other human rights issues impact the global fight on HIV.    

In June 2014, the U.S. Agency for International Development awarded FHI 360 the Linkages across the Continuum of HIV Services for Key Populations Affected by HIV Project (LINKAGES), a five-year cooperative agreement funded by the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

Since then, FHI 360 has worked to reduce HIV transmission and increase treatment and care among key populations, particularly sex workers, men who have sex with men, transgender persons and people who inject drugs.

FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Their diverse staff includes experts in health, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, civil society, gender, youth, research and technology — creating a unique mix of capabilities to address interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 70 countries and all U.S. states and territories.