On the occasion of World AIDS Day, we recall lessons learned from the HIV epidemic, most especially that restrictive, stigmatizing and punitive measures can lead to significant human rights abuses, with disproportionate effects on already vulnerable communities. These insights from the HIV response are especially relevant today as countries grapple with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Stories from Indonesia, Bangladesh, the Philippines and India illustrate global solidarity and shared responsibility to eliminate stigma and discrimination, putting people at the centre and grounding our responses in human rights and gender-responsive approaches to end ending the colliding pandemics of HIV and COVID-19.
