AIDS 2016: Theron: We value some lives more than others

Theron had been speaking at the opening ceremony of the 21st International Aids Conference in Durban last night.

Theron said HIV is not only transmitted through sex but also sexism, racism, poverty and homophobia.

She's questioned why the epidemic has not yet been beaten saying its time to face the truth about injustice in the world.

"The real reason we haven't beaten this epidemic boils down to one simple fact, we value some lives more than others. We value men more than women. Straight love more than gay love. White skin more than black skin.

"The rich more than the poor and adults more than adolescents" she said.

Theron says stigma and the discrimination of minority groups remains a concern.

"Aids does not discriminate on its own. It has no biological preference for black bodies for women's bodies for gay bodies or for the poor.

"It doesn't single out the vulnerable, depressed or the abused. We single out the vulnerable the depressed and abused. We ignore them, we let them suffer and than we let them die" she said.