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The compilation for this report is part of the Republic of Nauru Government’s commitment to the 2011 United Nations General Assembly Political Declaration to achieve: Zero new HIV infections, Zero Discrimination and Zero AIDS Related Deaths. This report will also provide a good baseline for monitoring progress towards the associated targets that call for the reduction on sexual transmission of HIV and elimination of new HIV infections among children by 2015. The Government of Nauru continues to regard HIV and AIDS as a high priority on the country’s socioeconomic development agenda. There can never be any meaningful development if the HIV and AIDS epidemic is not adequately addressed through clear prioritization, implementation and monitoring of high impact interventions which the Republic of Nauru embedded into the Ministry of Health and Medical Service Strategic Plan 2010 – 2015. 

UN Women’s work at the regional and national level is informed by the global commitments set out in the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPfA), the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) under negotiation. 2014 was a significant year for this work with the convergence of the 20-year review of the BPfA, the Third International Conference on Small island Developing States, the 58th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), at which Member States reviewed the implementation of the MDGs, and planning for the SDGs in the post-2015 development agenda. Across all of these processes, there was a consistent call for accelerated achievement of gender equality as a precondition for sustainable and inclusive development through increased financial investments, more political will and stronger partnerships.

The first HIV case in Vanuatu was found in 2002. To date, the cumulative number of HIV cases is 9, with four of these detected in 2012 alone. Six people are still alive today, while three have died. However, the number of officially reported HIV cases is based on passive testing through VCT centres, and actual HIV numbers are expected to be much higher. HIV testing is still very limited, with only 2,068 HIV tests in 2014 (1350 male; 718 female), a mere 0.18% of the total population. In 2013, only 27% (367/1344) of all pregnant women were tested for HIV.

Condoms have been proven to provide protection against sexually transmitted infections. Correct and consistent condom use is one of the most effective means of preventing transmission of HIV. Not only that, it acts as a main family planning method that prevents unintended pregnancies. Condoms are widely available in the country, and are distributed through retail outlets, STD clinics and through Public Health Midwives. The first ever situation assessment of condom programming in Sri Lanka, which was conducted recently, has clearly shown the current condom programming status in the country, and recommended to develop a “National Condom Strategy” for Sri Lanka. This will provide a comprehensive plan in line with the expectations of the other stakeholders, to achieve better health status for the Sri Lankan population, by reducing transmission of STIs including HIV infection and as a family planning method.

Among the communicable diseases, sexually transmitted infections (STI) remain major causes of morbidity and mortality. Yet, many STI-related illnesses and complications are preventable with feasible and effective interventions and services. Continuous collection of timely and accurate data on STI incidence and prevalence are crucial for understanding the epidemiology of STIs, monitoring interventions and informing treatment guidelines. Moreover, these data also provide useful markers of the sexual transmission of HIV and can be used to assess the effectiveness of STI/HIV prevention programmes.

The purpose of the information series is to provide detailed guidance for lawmakers, policymakers, judiciaries, health service providers, civil society and other stakeholders, to support the adoption and effective implementation of laws, policies and programmes to respect, protect and fulfill women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). This panel will focus on discussing the legal standards underpinning sexual and reproductive health and rights, good practices from across regions in securing women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights, and identify opportunities to advance work and continued advocacy and engagement on this issue.

The purpose of the information series is to provide detailed guidance for lawmakers, policymakers, judiciaries, health service providers, civil society and other stakeholders, to support the adoption and effective implementation of laws, policies and programmes to respect, protect and fulfill women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). This panel will focus on discussing the legal standards underpinning sexual and reproductive health and rights, good practices from across regions in securing women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights, and identify opportunities to advance work and continued advocacy and engagement on this issue.

The purpose of the information series is to provide detailed guidance for lawmakers, policymakers, judiciaries, health service providers, civil society and other stakeholders, to support the adoption and effective implementation of laws, policies and programmes to respect, protect and fulfill women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). This panel will focus on discussing the legal standards underpinning sexual and reproductive health and rights, good practices from across regions in securing women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights, and identify opportunities to advance work and continued advocacy and engagement on this issue.

The purpose of the information series is to provide detailed guidance for lawmakers, policymakers, judiciaries, health service providers, civil society and other stakeholders, to support the adoption and effective implementation of laws, policies and programmes to respect, protect and fulfill women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). This panel will focus on discussing the legal standards underpinning sexual and reproductive health and rights, good practices from across regions in securing women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights, and identify opportunities to advance work and continued advocacy and engagement on this issue.

The purpose of the information series is to provide detailed guidance for lawmakers, policymakers, judiciaries, health service providers, civil society and other stakeholders, to support the adoption and effective implementation of laws, policies and programmes to respect, protect and fulfill women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). This panel will focus on discussing the legal standards underpinning sexual and reproductive health and rights, good practices from across regions in securing women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights, and identify opportunities to advance work and continued advocacy and engagement on this issue.