As we mark World AIDS Day this year, some hopeful news: New HIV infections have slowed dramatically, and AIDS-related deaths have dropped 51 per cent from 2010. Yet the virus still claims far too many lives, and progress towards ending HIV transmission remains uneven.

Women and girls are particularly vulnerable, being twice as likely to acquire HIV and other sexually transmitted infections as men and boys, due to issues including gender inequality and gender-based violence. AIDS remains a leading cause of death in women of reproductive age in sub-Saharan Africa and contributes to poor reproductive outcomes globally.

All women and girls have the right to live free from discrimination and violence. For young people, especially adolescent girls, owning their sexual and reproductive health and bodily autonomy gives them a chance to prevent HIV, sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies.

We must empower communities to address inequalities that jeopardize people’s sexual health and well-being. Investing in the health and protection of key populations – including sex workers, gay men and other men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, transgender people and incarcerated people – is crucial to stopping HIV and other sexually transmitted infections from spreading.

Community-led initiatives help to change social norms and behaviours that raise the risk of HIV. Enabling communities requires dismantling legal and other barriers and empowering people to join the call for a world free from AIDS.

With the right resources, community organizations can reach high-risk and marginalized people, improve access to sexual and reproductive health care, including for sexually transmitted diseases, and can reduce inequalities in the delivery of services. Investments should prioritize local knowledge and creativity, as well as community leadership.

As a cosponsor of UNAIDS, UNFPA is committed to the vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. Addressing HIV is also integral to UNFPA’s mission of achieving universal access to sexual and reproductive health and realizing human rights and gender equality. Together, we can work to end HIV and AIDS.