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On World AIDS Day 2007, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (International Federation) reiterated its call for communities to start taking a more proactive approach in the fight against HIV.
Under the theme of “Leadership”, the International Federation urged communities to “take charge of their own destinies” in the fight against AIDS, especially women and people living which HIV who are among the most vulnerable groups.
The International Federation remains concerned by the plight of women and girls facing HIV who are at risk not only because of biological factors but also because of their social vulnerability, including from rape, sexual exploitation and trafficking. Sexual and gender based violence must be considered as an emergency in its own right.
In the Caribbean, to commemorate this very important day on the Red Cross Red Crescent calendar, National Societies held a number of activities to show their solidarity in the fight against HIV and AIDS.
The Cayman Islands Red Cross asked the residents of Grand Cayman if they would join in the fight against the spread of HIV not only in the Cayman Islands, but also regionally and globally. Over 700 persons from all ages, nationalities and walks of life answered a resounding “yes!”
The pledge lists a number of different ways which an individual can assist in the effort to reduce the spread of HIV in the Cayman Islands, from learning more about transmission, to getting tested, to taking a stance against the stigma and discrimination of persons living with HIV and AIDS.
“Everyone can join the fight against the spread of HIV and AIDS, no matter how old or young they are,” stated Red Cross Programmes Manager, Carolina Ferreira.
“A number of very young children came up to our booth at the Santa’s Landing and we asked them to come back with a parent or guardian. Even if it was just for those two minutes that we got those parents to think about the issue of HIV, then we have already planted a seed and that is one step closer to our goal.”
In St Lucia, the Red Cross held a fair for World Aids Day. The highlight of the fair was the HIV testing which was offered to 250 young persons. All persons who did the test received a reward package which included t-shirts, drawstring bags and key rings. Funding for the fair was provided by the National AIDS Programme in St Lucia.
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The Barbados Red Cross walked through Bridgetown’s two main streets and distributed information on HIV. In Trinidad and Tobago, the Red Cross conducted awareness sessions in schools and had a number of information booths throughout the country’s main hospitals.
The Dominica Red Cross had three days of activities to commemorate World AIDS Day. They main event was held on December 1 when the “Faces Campaign Awareness Champions” came together during a special hour and a half radio programme to talk about this year’s key message “Leadership.”
During the show each “Champion” spoke for 15 minutes on topics such as “Know your status, take the test,” “HIV is everybody’s business, know the facts,” “Stigma and Discrimination – Nobody has the truth written on their face,” and “Take the lead, Stop AIDS, keep the promise.”
The Guyana Red Cross held a number of activities leading up to World AIDS day which included a candle light parade and vigil, health fairs, poetry competition, condom fairs and a World AIDS Day concert.
Exactly one year ago the International Federation launched its new Global Alliance on HIV, with a commitment to double programming by 2010. Some 50 national Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies are now actively scaling up their efforts to “do more and to do better” on HIV through community outreach by members and volunteers living among and targeting the most vulnerable groups.
This includes the US$300 million programme for ten countries in southern Africa to reach 50 million people with messages for prevention and against stigma and discrimination. It will provide services for at least 250,000 people living with HIV and 460,000 children who have been orphaned or made vulnerable by HIV. Similar doubling of the reach of Red Cross and Red Crescent HIV programmes is now underway in other regions of Africa and in Asia, Pacfic, Latin America and the Caribbean. |
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