AFRO-NETS> World AIDS Campaign 2004 - Women and HIV and AIDS

[Janet Feldman <kaippg@earthlink.net>]

World AIDS Campaign 2004 - Women and HIV and AIDS
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Dear Colleagues,
 
Mid year greetings from the World AIDS Campaign!
 
World AIDS Campaign 2004 - Women and HIV and AIDS
 
Many of you have been asking about the campaign theme for next year. 
Following consultation, it has been decided that the theme will ex-
plore Women and HIV and AIDS. The last time there was a World AIDS 
Day focus on women was in 1990. Girls born in 1990 are now reaching 
sexual maturity and many are becoming mothers themselves. This 'next 
generation' provides a useful campaign hook to explore what has 
changed since 1990. This, combined with the epidemiological evidence 
around gender and infection provides a strong rationale for this fo-
cus. Focus sections on women and HIV and AIDS are also planned for 
the International AIDS Conference in Bangkok in July 2004.
 
World AIDS Campaign 2003
 
The World AIDS Campaign for 2003 continues with its focus on stigma 
and discrimination and a series of challenging brochures and TV spots 
are now in distribution under the Live and Let Live slogan. Copies 
are now available from UNAIDS offices.
 
To fight HIV and AIDS effectively we need to fight stigma and dis-
crimination. To fight stigma and discrimination we need to start by 
examining our own attitudes. The Live and Let Live campaign encour-
ages people to reflect on their attitudes. HIV and AIDS can touch raw 
nerves in our communities. People have been disowned by their fami-
lies, fired from their jobs, asked to leave their homes and schools 
and have faced discrimination in hospitals after revealing their HIV 
status. In extreme cases they have even been physically attacked.
 
The stigma associated with HIV and AIDS relates to deep taboos within 
society. For many the disease has a strong association with death, 
sex and drug use - issues that many of us find difficult to talk 
openly about. Along with a general discomfort in discussing these is-
sues many communities also still have high levels of ignorance, de-
nial, fear and intolerance about HIV and AIDS. It is this combination 
that can lead to strong negative reactions.
 
It is not only people currently living with an HIV diagnosis who are 
at risk from stigma and discrimination. Left unchallenged these atti-
tudes can create a general climate of fear where many people become 
more afraid of stigma and discrimination than of the disease itself.
 
When these conditions prevail people often choose to remain untested 
- even if they know they have taken risks. This creates the kind of 
environment where the disease can easily spread. We know that people 
can live with HIV without appearing or feeling unwell. People who ig-
nore their real or possible HIV status risk faster disease progres-
sion themselves and risk spreading HIV to others.
 
Help us fight fear, shame, ignorance and injustice worldwide.
 
Changes to the World AIDS Campaign
 
The World AIDS Campaign has traditionally been an awareness raising 
campaign encouraging a global focus on specific issues. It is now 
looking to broaden its remit to also include political advocacy and 
resource mobilization campaigning under its umbrella by strengthening 
the involvement of civil society groups. As soon as we have more 
practical information on how we will encourage this important shift 
in emphasis we will let you know.
 
Very best wishes,
 
World AIDS Campaign at UNAIDS
 
Keith Winestein
Campaign Manager
NAT (National AIDS Trust), United Kingdom
Tel: +44-20-7814-6724 (direct line)
Fax: +44-20-7216-0111
 
ARE YOU HIV PREJUDICED?
To learn the facts, go to http://www.areyouhivprejudiced.org
By ending ignorance, we'll end prejudice.
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