The global HIV response is facing mounting pressure. Across the world, anti-gender movements, attacks on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), and growing restrictions on the rights of women, girls, trans people, and LGBTIQ+ communities are reshaping political debates, funding priorities, and public health programs.

These developments were at the center of the second Fireside Chat organized by Action against AIDS Germany with partners on 8 June 2026. Bringing together Cate Nyambura (ATHENA Network), Amanita Calderón-Cifuentes (Trans Europe and Central Asia – TGEU), and Gracia Violeta Ross (World Council of Churches), the discussion explored how anti-gender and anti-rights movements are affecting HIV responses worldwide and what can be done to defend evidence-based, human rights-centered approaches. 

Opening the discussion, Tilman Rüppel, medmissio and Board Member of Action against AIDS Germany, stressed that gender is not a side issue in the HIV response but a key determinant of health. At a time of shrinking civic space, funding cuts, and growing attacks on human rights, Tilman emphasized that evidence-based and community-led HIV responses are increasingly under pressure worldwide. 

Beyond Backlash: A Coordinated Political Project 

For Cate Nyambura, Director of Programmes at ATHENA Network, the current situation goes far beyond a temporary backlash. The organisers of the anti-rights and anti-gender movement are exceptionally well organised and closely coordinate their activities. In many cases, they appear to be more effective and better resourced than rights-based movements, benefiting from significant financial backing.

Drawing examples from across Africa, Cate described a growing wave of anti-rights legislation, attacks on sexual and reproductive health services, restrictions on civil society organizations, and efforts to criminalize already marginalized communities. Cate challenged the language often used to describe these developments: 

“I don't think it's backlash anymore, but it's a long-term fractured and coordinated attack that really is meant to weaken civil society and erode movements that have been set up over time and also just erase communities and their existence.” 

Cate makes clear that HIV and sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR) are often not primary targets. Instead, the broader goal is to weaken democratic institutions, human rights protection, and community-led organizing. 

“HIV and SRHR are just casualty topics, but the intention long term is to undermine democracy, human rights, governance.” 

At the same time, Cate emphasized that communities continue to resist these developments and remain at the forefront of the response. 

Why Visibility Matters 

Amanita Calderón-Cifuentes, HIV Research and Advocacy Officer at TGEU, focused on the consequences of anti-gender politics for trans communities across Europe and Central Asia. 

She described how legal recognition, gender-affirming healthcare, and political visibility are increasingly under attack. In many countries, trans people are being excluded from policy discussions, public services, and even official data collection. 

For Calderón-Cifuentes, invisibility is not merely symbolic, it has direct consequences for health and survival.  

“If you stop counting people, you stop seeing them. And if you stop seeing them, it becomes so much easier to justify not serving them.” 

This concern extends to international policy processes, including the upcoming UN High-Level Meeting on HIV. When key populations disappear from political declarations, they often disappear from indicators, accountability mechanisms, budgets, and services as well. 

“Language is just never language. When communities are not explicitly mentioned in the declaration, they're not counted as indicators, which leads to them disappearing from accountability mechanisms and eventually from programs and services.” 

Germany's fascist past serves as a stark reminder of how democratic societies can slide into repression. The process often begins with the suppression of ideas, books, and free expression; later, it can extend to the persecution and disappearance of people. It starts with the dehumanization and marginalization of individuals and entire groups. It is therefore deeply concerning to see similar patterns emerging in many countries today.

Her conclusion was unequivocal: “People cannot be healthy, safe, or thrive when they're invisible.” 

Beyond Stereotypes: The Role of Faith Communities 

Discussions about gender and sexuality often focus on the role of religion. Gracia Violeta Ross of the World Council of Churches offered a more nuanced perspective. 

While acknowledging that religion is frequently instrumentalized to justify discrimination and exclusion, she emphasized that faith communities are far from homogeneous. Many churches and faith-based organizations are actively defending human rights, supporting HIV programs, and standing alongside marginalized communities. 

As Gracia noted:  “Thanks God, not everyone will allow their faith to be politicized for political discussions and justifying violence.”  

Ross explained how the World Council of Churches facilitates dialogue between faith leaders and affected communities, creating spaces where misconceptions can be challenged, and understanding can grow. 

“Being Christian means being radically inclusive and being on the side of the vulnerable communities.” 

At a time when HIV programs face severe funding cuts and growing political hostility, she argued that faith leaders have a responsibility to stand for dignity, justice, and inclusion. 

Communities Remain the Driving Force 

Despite the serious challenges discussed throughout the event, the conversation was not one of despair. A recurring theme was the resilience of communities and the lessons that the HIV response has taught the world over the past four decades. 

Calderón-Cifuentes reminded participants that the HIV movement became one of the most successful public health movements in history not because governments acted first, but because affected communities demanded change. 

“I want governments and multilateral organizations to remember why the HIV response became one of the most successful global health movements in history. It was not because of them. It was not because of governments. It was because of communities and because of the way that we demanded to be seen.” 

Cate Nyambura echoed this message and highlighted the resilience of community movements despite growing political pressure:  

“Communities are still strong and communities will remain strong despite the attacks.” 

Looking Ahead to the UN High-Level Meeting 

As preparations continue for the UN High-Level Meeting on HIV, all speakers emphasized the need to defend human rights-based language, protect community leadership, secure sustainable financing, and ensure that key populations remain visible in political commitments. 

The discussion made clear that current debates are not primarily about terminology. They are about whose lives are recognized, whose voices are heard, and whose rights are protected. 

As Amanita Calderón-Cifuentes noted:  “When communities lead, health outcomes improve. When communities are excluded, people die.” 

The discussion ultimately underscored that the future of the HIV response will depend on whether communities remain visible, protected, and meaningfully involved in shaping the decisions that affect their lives

Missed the discussion?

Watch the full recording of the Fireside Chat “Gender Under Pressure” here: https://www.aids-kampagne.de/aktuelles/2...

June 2026

Peter Wiessner, Johanna Fipp, Action against AIDS Germany

info@aktionsbuendnis-aids.de

Recording

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