WORLD AIDS DAY ACTIVITIES ADDRESS STIGMA AND DISCRIMINATION

Basseterre, St. Kitts, November 27, 2012 (SKNIS): This year’s World AIDS Day activities will be geared towards encouraging citizens to be more mindful of the negative attitude that is often targeted towards People Living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA.)

This is encapsulated in this year’s theme “Human First … I Matter,” which was revealed in an press release from the National AIDS Secretariat.  It stated that: “The theme and related activities hope to explain the importance of appreciating the fact that people are human first and then any other labels thereafter.  By appreciating the one common thread that binds us all as humans, it is expected that persons would respect and promote the fundamental rights of others.”

According to the release the Ministry of Health further noted that it “is committed to the reduction of stigma and discrimination which acts as a barrier to persons accessing prevention and treatment services, who too often end up living “underground.” This year, we wish to invite all to join us as we appreciate our humanity and human rights.  As humans we matter.” 

The objectives of the activities planned for 2012 include “Getting to zero tolerance for HIV/AIDS-related discrimination” and moving people to understand that “whether a person is HIV positive, a sex worker, a homosexual or otherwise s/he is first a human being, and as such should be treated that way … and that zero discrimination starts with us as individuals.”

As such, this year’s activities include health education sessions in work places, the World AIDS Day March, the Minister of Health’s Address and The Ride the Bus Campaign.  The month-long activities also include broadcast/radio guest appearances by health educators addressing the theme, a Whistle Stop and National Testing Day.  Further information pertaining to the activities will be released as it becomes available.

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MEMO

To:                  Local Media

From:              SKNIS

Date:              November 27, 2012

Subject:          World AIDS Campaign 2012

Notice

The National AIDS Secretariat is inviting the general public to take part in the activities of the World AIDS Day Campaign 2012, being held under the theme: “Human First … I matter.”

Fri., Nov. 30 -             World AIDS Day March

Sat., Dec. 01 -             World AIDS Day Address by Min. of Health and

                                    Reading of World AIDS Awareness Letter in Churches

Sun., Dec. 02 -             Reading of World AIDS Awareness Letter in Churches

Mon., Dec. 03 -           Guest Appearance on WINN FM’s Breakfast Show

                                    Ride the Bus Campaign begins and runs daily until Fri., Dec., 14

Tues., Dec. 11 -           Whistle Stop

Fri., Dec. 14 -              National Testing Day

Additional information pertaining to specific times will be released as it becomes available.

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Radio Stations please air as often as possible from Nov. 27 to Dec. 14, 2012.  Thanks.

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