World AIDS Day

Message on World AIDS Day 2008 - Pan Commonwealth Civil Society Network on HIV and AIDS

World AIDS Day is a time for reflection, not just to put HIV and AIDS issues at the front of the world's mind, but also because another World AIDS Day commemorated means another year of still working towards ending AIDS: a cure for this deadly pandemic is yet to be discovered and both civil society and governments need to reinforce their commitments to end AIDS.

2008 saw the launch of the four regional chapters of the Pan Commonwealth Civil Society Network on HIV and AIDS in Asia, Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific, supported by the Commonwealth Foundation. This important initiative strives to meet three objectives: to bring together regional organisations to consolidate and strengthen voices to end AIDS; to bring together civil society and government using the Foundation's unique mandate; to put people living with HIV and AIDS at the centre of future HIV and AIDS strategies and practice.

In 2008, the network did just this – ensuring that marginalised groups including disabled, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender representatives were involved in regional civil society discourse in Sri Lanka; that sex workers, long-distance truck drivers and intravenous drug users were amongst those who brought their viewpoints to debate in Pakistan; working alongside men-having-sex with-men in the Caribbean and initiating a civil society-led review on women and HIV and AIDS in the Pacific region. These activities are but a few that have been initiated to-date.

Looking forward beyond World AIDS Day 2008, and encompassing the World AIDS day theme of leadership, the Pan-Commonwealth network has chosen to mark the beginning of a renewed campaign to end stigma and discrimination

Anisha Rajapakse, Human Development Programme Manager at the Commonwealth Foundation spoke about the need for both civil society and governments to act positively against stigma. “Unfortunately, in every region of the Commonwealth, we have seen the devastating effects of stigma against the success of working against it,” she said. “We can put in the best strategies for prevention, the best funding, the best health care, but this is nothing if people continue to be discriminated or stigmatised due to ignorance of the facts about HIV and the real benefit of understanding and valuing the rights of people living with HIV and AIDS.”

The Commonwealth Foundation's focus on stigma is lauded by South African Supreme Court Judge Edwin Cameron, the first senior South African official to publicly state that he was living with HIV. “Stigma and discrimination show in many different communities, social groups and countries. But the end result is the same: a crippling challenge for those people and their families trying to live constructively with HIV and AIDS, which is now fully medically manageable. Stigma - particularly in its enacted form - discrimination, involves disrespect for human dignity. Negative labels and stereotypes pinned on those affected by HIV and AIDS add immensely to the burden of the disease, and discourage people from testing, from accessing life-saving treatment, and from speaking out about their own status,” he said.

World AIDS Day 2008 is an opportunity for our network's regional leads and their partners to reflect on this past year's experiences and embrace the challenges for the coming year:

Caribbean: The Caribbean Association for Feminist Research and Action (CAFRA) structures its initiatives in the area of HIV and AIDS around education and advocacy. CAFRA will disseminate a news release addressing stigma and discrimination, and hosting a public forum for discussion, a video showing, and interviews of network members.

Asia: Alliance Lanka will set up roadside stands in three districts to sensitize the public and create awareness on HIV and AIDS and related issues on stigma and discrimination and has mobilised initiatives with other members of the Asian Pan Commonwealth Civil Society Network on HIV and AIDS. The Commonwealth Foundation, in partnership with the Pakistan AIDS Control Federation and DFID will convene a three-day national civil society forum on partnerships and community action to end AIDS in Pakistan. The Sustainable Resource Foundation will roll out the first trainer and participant manuals on 'communication for social change', alongside complementary initiatives and activities in schools and businesses. In India, the Positive Women Network is celebrating its 10^th anniversary and hosting national consultations on HIV and AIDS and positive peoples.

Pacific: The Pacific Islands AIDS Foundation (PIAF) has prepared an information package that includes videos and reports that it will disseminate to their members as a year-end review of the regional initiatives, as well as a letter of encouragement that will set the tone for the work PIAF hopes to build on in 2009. Additionally, PIAF will be hosting a workshop to launch a comprehensive report on discrimination, including a legal booklet.

Africa: Youth Net and Counselling (YONECO) is organising a District Assembly Commemoration for World AIDS Day which will include campaigns and awareness raising across the six districts in Malawi. Rallies and community displays of local arts and crafts, as well as performances will also take place.

Stigma and discrimination has no place in the real battle to end HIV and AIDS. Whether we represent the media and the need for sensitive and factual reporting; a government official ensuring non-discriminatory legislation; a health care professional delivering a care and support service – we all have a duty to lead positively against stigma and discrimination. Until we end stigma, we cannot end AIDS.