Activism Against AIDS

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Article featured in Avatar - Volume 3, Issue 6 (December 2009).

Activism Against AIDS
by Stephanie (Konstantine)

Each year, on the 1st December, World AIDS Day takes place. The aim of the day is to create a larger awareness of AIDS (Acquired immune deficiency syndrome) and the spread of the HIV infection which causes this, as well as attempting to raise money, tackle related prejudice and improve education upon the subject. It is traditional for the President of the United States to make a proclamation on the 1st of December and governments of other nations often make speeches on the topic. The day is also used as a memorial to those who have lost their lives to AIDS.

Today, HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a threat to all men, women and children around the world. The condition is transmitted through one person with a bodily fluid containing HIV having direct contact with blood. Transmission can be through unprotected sex, blood transfusion, using contaminated needles, between mother and child or other exposure to bodily fluid which contains the virus. HIV destroys important defense cells in the body and cause immune deficiency – meaning that people with the virus get serious infections. According to UNAIDS estimates, 33.2 million people currently have HIV and around half of all people who become infected with HIV are under 25.

This year, the theme of the World AIDS Day is “Universal Access and Human Rights” with leaders around the world making an aim of universal access to HIV and AIDS prevention and treatment, recognizing these as important human rights. Although great progress has already been made to make these services more accessible, there is still room for improvement and a lot of dedication is needed to reach this goal. Human rights are fundamental to tackling the AIDS epidemic and by promoting these, new transmissions can be avoided and people who already have contracted the virus can live without fear of being discriminated against and with good care and treatment.

There are many ways that you as an individual can contribute towards achieving this year’s goals, such as fundraising for AIDS charities, perhaps through a sponsored event, or simply creating awareness, and openness of the issue, perhaps by simply wearing a red ribbon that day. World AIDS day gives us the prospect of trying to spread awareness and hope globally.