Helpers social development foundation joined other civil society organizations in Enugu State to organized the 2019 World AIDS DAY today.
THEME: COMMUNITIES MAKE THE DIFFERENCE.
Today, the entire world unites to raise awareness about the HIV/AIDS pandemic, to stand in solidarity with People Living with HIV (PLHIV) and to mourn those who have died of the disease. This is in recognition of the invaluable contribution the communities make towards controls of the HIV/AIDS scourge. The communities in this context refer to various groups and organizations whose activities and activisms impact significantly the fight against HIV/AIDS.
These include; Peer educators, the Network of People Living with HIV, Communities of Key populations, Prisoners, Women and young people, door-to-door service providers and other civil society organizations. The communities make a difference through their activisms and are key to achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG).
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The theme of this year’s commemoration offers an important platform and brings to fore the indispensable role of the communities at a time when reduced funding and shrinking space for civil society are putting HIV service and advocacy efforts in jeopardy.
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This is the time when the greater mobilization of these communities is urgently needed for targeted action, to ensure that HIV/AIDS discourse remains on political agenda; that human rights are respected, and that decision and policymakers and implementers are held accountable. We call on all the HIV response stakeholders to collaborate with us in galvanizing efforts towards reversing the HIV trend in Nigeria and to ensure that 2030 United Nation’s goal of ending AIDS remains in focus.