Around the world millions gathered for the 21st annual World AIDS Day on December 1.
There are an estimated 35 million people infected with the virus worldwide and 30 million people have died from an AIDS-related illness.
Whilst many gathered in parks and listened to addresses by political leaders, the message remained the same – reduce the stigma and help fight infection through better preventative measures.
United Nations AIDS Executive Director Mr Michel Sidibé joined South African President Jacob Zuma in the South African city of Pretoria to call for the forging of a mass prevention movement.
‘Our message is simple,’ President Zuma said.
‘We have to stop the spread of HIV. We must reduce the rate of new infections. Prevention is our most powerful weapon against the epidemic.’
In South Africa an estimated 5.7 million were people living with HIV in 2007 – the world’s largest population of people living with HIV.
Sub-Saharan Africa remains the region most heavily affected by HIV worldwide, accounting for over two thirds of all people living with HIV and for nearly three quarters of AIDS-related deaths in 2008.
President Zuma announced the provision of HIV treatment to all children under one year of age if they test positive.
‘To take our response a step forward, we are launching a massive campaign to mobilise all South Africans to get tested for HIV,’ he said.
In the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s televised address paid tribute to the tireless work of activists in the 1980s to beat the spread of AIDS.
‘From the beginning of the epidemic you’ve always said it can be beaten.
‘Even in the midst of so much sorrow, those who had lost loved ones refused to accept the silence and the stigma and set up pioneering charities which are still saving and changing lives today.
‘And now across the world international activists are writing their own chapter of resistance, fighting for universal access to prevention, treatment and care.’
Britain is the second largest bilateral AIDS donor globally and has decided to enshrine into law its 0.7percent aid commitment to the G8 goal of having universal access to antiretroviral drugs by 2010.
‘Together we can work to make HIV and AIDS history,’ Mr Brown said.
In Australia, The Governor General Quentin Bryce visited a health promotion facility in Sydney for disadvantaged people with HIV.
ACON, Australia’s largest community-based HIV/AIDS health organisation, co-manages The Luncheon Club with HIV/AIDS charity the Bobby Goldsmith foundation.
ACON chief executive Nicolas Parkhill said: ‘Over 10,000 people in NSW are living with HIV and an average of at least one new infection is diagnosed in NSW every day. And despite the improved treatments, many of these people are financially and socially disadvantaged by their need for complex and ongoing support.
‘The reality is that HIV/AIDS remains a major health issue in NSW, as it does throughout Australia and all over the world.’
In Western Australia, a gathering was held at the AIDS memorial in North Perth.
More than one hundred people paid their respects and acknowledged the achievements made by recipients of the World AIDS Day Awards.
Retired politician Jim McGinty received the award for his contribution as an individual, Channel Ten newsreader Narelda Jacobs received the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Award, Roger Sykes the HIV Positive Person Award, the WA Centre For Health Promotion Research the Group Award, Matt Pearse the Youth Award, Dr Moira Wilson received the Health Services Award, Network Ten the Media Award, the Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services Council the Rural and Remote Award and Dr Stephen Hodby was given the Honorary Life Member Award.
Young local musician, John Caina serenaded the crowd with soft piano music as they arrived and a photography project utilising the red AIDS ribbon was on display. Aboriginal dance troupe, Common Ground performed as did the Gay and Lesbian Singers.
Labor Senator Louise Pratt was unable to attend due to commitments in Canberra; however her speech was read to the gathering by Cipri Martinez.
‘As chair of the cross party Parliamentary Liaison Group on HIV/AIDS, I know there is a great deal of work to be done,’ her speech said.
‘As a group, the PLG is working to lift stigma and discrimination – because we know that such discrimination badly affects our efforts to prevent transmission – but more importantly, it also places an unnecessary burden on HIV positive people.
‘The Federal Government recognises that it is time to renew our efforts and strengthen this partnership.
‘I look forward to the release of the new National HIV Strategy and I thank all those who have been part of its creation.
‘The great work of the WA positive Community, WAAC and GLBTI NGOs in WA has taught me a great deal over the years about the importance of a principled, rational and committed response to HIV.’
To end the ceremony, attendees were invited to light provided sparklers as red balloons were released into the air.
Aja Styles
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