E/2016/27 E/CN.6/2016/22 Deeply concerned that all forms of violence against women and girls, discrimination and harmful practices are among key contributing factors to the spread of HIV among women and girls, Deeply concerned also by the increased vulnerability to HIV infection faced by women and girls living with disabilities resulting from, inter alia, legal and economic inequalities, sexual and gender-based violence, discrimination and violations of their rights, Noting with concern that populations destabilized by armed conflict, humanitarian emergencies and natural disasters, internally displaced persons, refugees and, in particular, women and children, especially girls, are at increased risk of HIV infection, Recognizing that women and girls are more vulnerable to HIV infection and that they bear a disproportionate burden of the impact of the HIV and AIDS epidemic, including the care of and support for those living with and affected by HIV and AIDS, and that this negatively affects the enjoyment of their human rights, including the right to health, Recognizing also that access to quality education and information and the retention of girls in school are critical elements in the prevention of HIV infection among women and girls, Acknowledging the leadership of governments, in cooperation with the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS and other specialized agencies of the United Nations, the international donor community and financing mechanisms, including the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, in increasing domestic and international resources to support programmes that promote gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls to address HIV and AIDS, Welcoming the leadership and commitment shown in all aspects of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, including in the HIV and AIDS response, by governments, non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations and people living with HIV, including through the African Union road map on shared responsibility and global solidarity for AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria response in Africa, 1. Calls upon governments, international partners and civil society to give full attention to the high levels of new HIV infections among y oung women and adolescent girls and its root causes, bearing in mind that women and girls are physiologically more vulnerable to HIV, especially at an earlier age, than men and boys, and that this is increased by discrimination and all forms of violence against women, girls and adolescents, including sexual exploitation and harmful practices; 2. Calls upon Member States to intensify efforts to achieve gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls in all spheres of life, recognizing that structural gender inequalities, discrimination, violence against women and girls and harmful masculinities undermine effective HIV responses and the full and equal enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms by women and girls; 34/62 16-05842