Stop AIDS

stopaids [at] herald.ox.ac.uk

Who We Are

Oxford Student Stop AIDS Society is a student group committed to campaigning for the progressive realisation of the rights of people living with, and vulnerable to, HIV infection globally. We work to raise awareness about HIV prevention in Oxford. We also campaign for universal access to HIV treatment globally.

Today, HIV is a preventable and treatable illness.

However, in 2006, according to UNAIDS 2.9 million people died of AIDS related illnesses. Many of these people died because of lack of access to combination antiretroviral therapy. We believe that access to such life-saving health care is a human right.

Another 4.3 million were newly infected with the virus. Now an estimated 39.5 million people are living with HIV globally.

Young people bear the brunt of this pandemic, as over half of all new infections occur in people aged 15-24. As privileged, empowered and educated young people in the UK we need to do everything we can to stop the devastation caused by AIDS.

The UK Student Stop AIDS Campaign is a coalition of youth and student organisations, NGOs and individuals. We have been campaigning since 2003 to force the UK government and other world powers to do all they can to stop new HIV infections and ensure universal access to HIV treatment.

In 2005, G8 leaders set a target of universal access to treatment for all people living with HIV by 2010.

We campaign to ensure this target is achieved. 3 issues in particular form the basis of our campaign. That the UK government:

1) Help to ensure that generic (cheaper than brand-name) drugs become available in developing countries as soon as possible.

2) Support developing countries in getting access to generics through financial, technical and political assistance.

3) Do everything possible to ensure that the 2010 universal access target is met.

More information about the National Student Stop AIDS Campaign is available on their website

Co-chairpersons: Agnes Granroth & Che Ramsden-Karelse