Conferences about AIDS/HIV are important and generally a good thing, right? But what happens when the people most affected by AIDS/HIV are (perhaps deliberately) kept out of the conference? Who is a conference like that really benefiting?

Some 25,000 people are expected at the event, which draws scientists, international agencies, government officials, non-government organizations and the media.

But people most at risk of the disease, such as sex workers, homosexuals and intravenous drug users, are least visible. Most are poor and cannot afford registration fees.

“The conference is a place to exchange opinion but now, only those in power have a say,” said Elvira Madrid, an activist working for the rights of sex workers in Mexico City.

Via Reuters