events

Light for Rights World AIDS Day 2010

First observed in 1988, World AIDS Day (WAD) has served to raise awareness about the epidemic, honor those who havedied, focus attention on issues that are key to a successful response, and inspire positive action.

The WAD theme for 2009-2010 is “Universal Access and Human Rights”. To underscore the importance of human rights in the response to AIDS, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has reported to the UN General Assembly that reduced access to essential HIV information, prevention tools, treatments, and services is occurring in many countries as a result of laws and policies that are inconsistent with their commitments to human rights. He stressed that where human rights are promoted to protect people living with HIV and members of other vulnerable groups, there are fewer infections, less demand for antiretroviral treatment in addition to fewer deaths.

Objectives of the campaign:

• Draw global attention to the rights of people living with HIV and vulnerable populations

• Mobilise support for the protection of these rights in order to achieve universal access to HIV prevention, treatment,care and support and combat stigma and discrimination