Today, we are observing WORLD AIDS DAY, remembering the ones we lost, those who are suffering and those who are working to end it.
Started on 1st December 1988, World AIDS Day is about raising money, increasing awareness, fighting prejudice and improving education. The World AIDS Day theme for 2009 is 'Universal Access and Human Rights'. World AIDS Day is important in reminding people that HIV has not gone away, and that there are many things still to be done.
According to UNAIDS estimates, there are now 33.4 million people living with HIV, including 2.1 million children. During 2008 some 2.7 million people became newly infected with the virus and an estimated 2 million people died from AIDS.1 Around half of all people who become infected with HIV do so before they are 25 and are killed by AIDS before they are 35.2
The vast majority of people with HIV and AIDS live in lower- and middle-income countries. But HIV today is a threat to men, women and children on all continents around the world.
The theme for World AIDS Day 2009 is 'Universal Access and Human Rights'. Global leaders have pledged to work towards universal access to HIV and AIDS treatment, prevention and care, recognising these as fundamental human rights. Valuable progress has been made in increasing access to HIV and AIDS services, yet greater commitment is needed around the world if the goal of universal access is to be achieved. Millions of people continue to be infected with HIV every year. In low- and middle-income countries, less than half of those in need of antiretroviral therapy are receiving it, and too many do not have access to adequate care services.3
The protection of human rights is fundamental to combating the global HIV and AIDS epidemic. Violations against human rights fuel the spread of HIV, putting marginalised groups, such as injecting drug users and sex workers, at a higher risk of HIV infection. By promoting individual human rights, new infections can be prevented and people who have HIV can live free from discrimination.
World AIDS Day provides an opportunity for all of us - individuals, communities and political leaders - to take action and ensure that human rights are protected and global targets for HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care are met.
The red ribbon is an international symbol of AIDS awareness that is worn by people all year round and particularly around World AIDS Day to demonstrate care and concern about HIV and AIDS, and to remind others of the need for their support and commitment.
The red ribbon started as a "grass roots" effort; as a result there is no one official AIDS ribbon manufacturer, and many people make their own. It's easily done - just use some ordinary red ribbon and a safety pin!
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Source: www.worldaidsday.org
2 comments:
The United Nations has been the object of right wing hatred since its inception directly following WW II, a hatred based on thinly disguised bigotry because it's the only worldwide entity dedicated to the relief of the three worst evils in the Third World, namely
#1 Poverty
#2 Hunger
#3 Disease
Is it any wonder compassionate individuals, who also happen to be politically and/or socially liberal, support its work?
The advocates of Ethnic Supremacy, Organized Venality and "necessary" military conflict, ostensibly to settle disputes among nations, are strident in their criticism.
Never mind UNICEF or WHO or peace keeping efforts. After all those activities do not benefit the over privileged and bloated robber barons.
Arcadian,
Very insightful. Karol Boudreaux looks at the many small decisions and policies that create an economy -- and the unintended consequences and blind spots that contribute to creating economies in poverty. We should also examine the intended consequences that sustain the cycle of poverty, hunger, disease, and break down in education around the world.
I pose the question, what transformational models do you think could be implemented to eradicate hunger, poverty and disease?
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