Transforming HIV/AIDS Related Policies in Action, time for action
According to statistics from WHO/UN, AIDS has killed more than 25 million people and an estimated 33.2 million people all over the world are living with HIV. Out of this 30% are women and 10% are children (below 15 years).
Despite the improved access to ARV treatment and care, the AIDS epidemic is killing at least 5,700 people per day all over the world. Despite rampant awareness 6,800 people are getting infected everyday all over the world.
As we are preparing for 2010 International Conference on HIV/AIDS and 5th National AIDS Conference on HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, we need to discuss on how to change our society through public policy research, public awareness, increased funding, and community education. Above all we should immediately translate all HIV/AIDS policies into action to benefit the people and for that reason we need commitment, strong and an effective Leadership both in Government and Civil society organizations.
Otherwise HIV/AIDS will continue to affect the growth of world economic particularly Africa. We the inhabitants of this planet are to work hard together to control this scourge and fight the Virus to finish. HIV/AIDS prevention may entail a multi-sectoral approach which integrates reproductive health literacy, women empowerment and provision of such protective measure as condoms, prevention of sexual violence, good governance and eradication of corruption as well as safeguarding human rights.
Assessing specific responses to non-discriminatory practices and identifying the risk factors for HIV/AIDS for both women and men along with defusing the associated stigma and gender based violence come in containing the impact of HIV/AIDS on a sector comprehensively.
As a result, HIV/AIDS education and work-place prevention underpinned by well-founded gender policy are able to internalize the gender development effectively. Inclusive initiatives have to be taken on the urgent basis in Africa to empower women and enhance their abilities to withstand health threats like HIV/AIDS.
Catering to the vulnerable groups especially the destitute and disadvantaged women, there is a need for generating different pilot interventions and educational effort in response to campaign of HIV/AIDS prevention. Strategies and interventions should tune in to sensitizing policy makers, senior health planners, programme managers and other implementers to create a willing and friendly environment for achieving equality in every sector.
There is no doubt that gender equality is the key way to sustainable development. So it is necessary to ensure that both women and men have to have equal access to information, treatment, care, support and productive resources. Then in true sense, gender development will be meaningful all along in preventing HIV/AIDS.
I want to use this opportunity to thank Her Excellency Mrs. Margaret Peter Obi, the wife of Anambra State Governor for her support to PLWHA through her visit to all support groups in Anambra State and her leadership role on this important fight against the virus. As she is takes another 4 years of leadership in the State, We look forward for transformation of all Government Policies as it related to HIV/AIDS in to Action, and a continued leadership role by the Government in scaling up global AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria programming in the State so that people of Anambra State can continue to receive life-saving services.
As this year’s International AIDS Conference with the theme ‘’Right Here- Right Now” is fast approaching, it is an opportunity for activists around the world to stand together, generate political pressure and demand action from our leaders to give Women there equal rights here and now.
I hear by call on Government, political leaders, civil societies and every body to make a commitment to say NO to stigma and discrimination to people living with HIV and AIDS and transform policies in action. Let’s lead the campaign against stigma, guarantee there right here and now. Let’s keep our promise.
One Africa, one Destiny.
Despite the improved access to ARV treatment and care, the AIDS epidemic is killing at least 5,700 people per day all over the world. Despite rampant awareness 6,800 people are getting infected everyday all over the world.
As we are preparing for 2010 International Conference on HIV/AIDS and 5th National AIDS Conference on HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, we need to discuss on how to change our society through public policy research, public awareness, increased funding, and community education. Above all we should immediately translate all HIV/AIDS policies into action to benefit the people and for that reason we need commitment, strong and an effective Leadership both in Government and Civil society organizations.
Otherwise HIV/AIDS will continue to affect the growth of world economic particularly Africa. We the inhabitants of this planet are to work hard together to control this scourge and fight the Virus to finish. HIV/AIDS prevention may entail a multi-sectoral approach which integrates reproductive health literacy, women empowerment and provision of such protective measure as condoms, prevention of sexual violence, good governance and eradication of corruption as well as safeguarding human rights.
Assessing specific responses to non-discriminatory practices and identifying the risk factors for HIV/AIDS for both women and men along with defusing the associated stigma and gender based violence come in containing the impact of HIV/AIDS on a sector comprehensively.
As a result, HIV/AIDS education and work-place prevention underpinned by well-founded gender policy are able to internalize the gender development effectively. Inclusive initiatives have to be taken on the urgent basis in Africa to empower women and enhance their abilities to withstand health threats like HIV/AIDS.
Catering to the vulnerable groups especially the destitute and disadvantaged women, there is a need for generating different pilot interventions and educational effort in response to campaign of HIV/AIDS prevention. Strategies and interventions should tune in to sensitizing policy makers, senior health planners, programme managers and other implementers to create a willing and friendly environment for achieving equality in every sector.
There is no doubt that gender equality is the key way to sustainable development. So it is necessary to ensure that both women and men have to have equal access to information, treatment, care, support and productive resources. Then in true sense, gender development will be meaningful all along in preventing HIV/AIDS.
I want to use this opportunity to thank Her Excellency Mrs. Margaret Peter Obi, the wife of Anambra State Governor for her support to PLWHA through her visit to all support groups in Anambra State and her leadership role on this important fight against the virus. As she is takes another 4 years of leadership in the State, We look forward for transformation of all Government Policies as it related to HIV/AIDS in to Action, and a continued leadership role by the Government in scaling up global AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria programming in the State so that people of Anambra State can continue to receive life-saving services.
As this year’s International AIDS Conference with the theme ‘’Right Here- Right Now” is fast approaching, it is an opportunity for activists around the world to stand together, generate political pressure and demand action from our leaders to give Women there equal rights here and now.
I hear by call on Government, political leaders, civil societies and every body to make a commitment to say NO to stigma and discrimination to people living with HIV and AIDS and transform policies in action. Let’s lead the campaign against stigma, guarantee there right here and now. Let’s keep our promise.
One Africa, one Destiny.
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