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27 June 2001 by Helge Kvam in New York A commitment to fighting the stigma around people with HIVAIDS is the cornerstone to a partnership announced between the International Federation and the Global Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (GNP+) during the second day of the UN General Assembly's Special Session on HIV/AIDS. The partnership was announced during a side event to the special session, attended amongst others, by the UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, International Federation President Astrid Heiberg and GNP+ chief, Stuart Flavell. "In the 20 years since the world first heard of AIDS, you have been at the forefront of the response.The work you are doing with the rest of civil society is a model of social mobilisation we need. While others may have been hampered by taboo and stigma, yours has often been a lone and courageous voice breaking the silence," Annan told an audience of more than 600 people comprising people living with the disease, government representatives, NGOs and the media. "This public alliance sends a powerful message in breaking the silence around social stigma. It can be difficult and sometimes dangerous, but for my part, I will encourage others to follow your example." he added. The two organisations have already produced a manual for people living with HIV/AIDS, "Positive Development" and will in future increase cooperation on the fight against stigma. Red Cross volunteers and GNP+ staff living with HIV/AIDS were the stars of the side event aimed at encouraging dialogue on the issue of stigma surrounding those with the disease and government representatives. "Stigma rises within everyday life. Addressing this requires a big heart and commitment," said GNP+'s Stuart Flavell. It is something the Red Cross volunteers and GNP+ staff at the session have already shown in abundance. Khun Pantinya of the Thai Red Cross and Josephine Chiturumani of the Zimbabwe Red Cross were just two of the people who spoke to the audience of their experiences since being diagnosed as being HIV positive. The partnership between the International Federation and GNP+ will mean the Red Cross and Red Crescent will give protection to all those living with HIV/Aids as the two organisations fight social stigma and discrimination against those with the disease through peer education and campaigns. International Federation President, Astrid Heiberg, took the opportunity to also push for cheaper drug treatments for those with the disease. "There is sufficient money in this world to pay for people to survive. The world is not just a place between rich and poor. It's about unequal distribution," she told the audience. |
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UN
Secretary General Kofi Annan with Red Cross and GNP+ volunteers and
staff who are living with HIV.
