Developing legislation in a developing world: An examination of HIV/AIDS legislation in Southeast Asia

Societal infrastructure, economic limitations, and cultural stigma loom as contributing factors to the growing number of HIV/AIDS cases within Asia and are of grave concern to the grass-root advocacy campaigns and external international organizations that work within the region. Subsequently, these organizations have been encouraging countries in Asia to combat societal prejudices as a way of prevention and enact legislation to protect the medical, professional, and personal rights specific for individuals living with HIV/AIDS. Over the past five years, numerous debates have ensued about these issues and several Asian governments have acknowledged the necessity for policy addressing the needs and rights of over 8.3 million infected individuals. A categorical assessment of the HIV/AIDS legislation currently being discussed in six Southeast Asian countries—India, Vietnam, Thailand, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Philippines—reveals that some governments are taking significant steps to address not only the protection of individual's rights but also to reevaluate hindrances to existing prevention and treatment resources. Many countries are now recognizing that without specified legal regulations for access to treatment and basic rights those living with HIV/AIDS will continue to subsist without the health care they desperately need. Current HIV/AIDS policy development is often being created with the intent to reach the 85% of individuals infected with HIV/AIDS that are not currently receiving treatment. Furthermore, these new policies and legislation may have an extensive social impact by decreasing stigma, increasing regional dialogue, and promoting greater understanding and acceptance of HIV/AIDS.