After 20 years of the HIV/AIDS pandemic,
thousands of people continue to die every day, unable to access
prevention information or services that will enable them to
live full and useful lives.
Stigma is one of the biggest barriers
to universal access to prevention information, care, support
and treatment services.
“
Individuals
who have it, may not know or do not want to admit or
talk about it, governments refuse to acknowledge its
existence, cultural barriers and beliefs have made the
topic taboo, and people living with AIDS are actively
discriminated against.
Juan
Manuel Suárez del Toro R.
International Federation President
”
In 2001, the Federation committed
to become a better home for people living with HIV/AIDS, and
scaled up its contribution to the global HIV/AIDS response.
The truth about AIDS.
Pass it on… campaign was launched on 8 May 2002. The
campaign has been working to prevent, reduce and ultimately
eliminate HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination wherever
it occurs and in all its forms.
In partnership with the
Global
Network of People living with HIV/AIDS (GNP+), the Federation
has implemented targeted advocacy activities, and to date,
more than two thirds of the Federation’s 181 member
National Societies have actively campaigned against stigma
and discrimination.
“
For too many, the stigma
associated with HIV/AIDS is a life and death matter
and the Red Cross Red Crescent has an obligation to
act, to speak out, to lobby for policy changes and to
fight stigma and discrimination in all its forms.
Bernard
Gardiner
International
Federation Global HIV/AIDS Programme
”
The
stamps campaign, one of the advocacy campaigns spearheaded
globally and implemented nationally, was launched on 8 May
2003, to dispel the most common myths about HIV transmission.
The stamps - which make it clear that you cannot get HIV from
playing, kissing, sharing a toilet etc. - were adapted nationally.
Some National Societies have also developed their own unique
and culturally sensitive stamps.
With the new
Come closer… campaign, the Federation calls for
a closer collaboration with people living with HIV/AIDS. Materials
for the campaign, a collaboration project between the International
Federation, Turkish
Red Crescent Society and Saatchi & Saatchi Turkey,
address the most common myths in a fun and colourful way.
The campaign aims to have a
positive impact on the values, beliefs and attitudes that
fuel stigma.
“
The partnership
between Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and local
organisations of people living with HIV/AIDS is growing,
but it is time to get even closer by involving more
countries and developing joint work plans in all regions.
Bernard
Gardiner
International Federation Global HIV/AIDS Programme
”
UNAIDS
recognized the progress of the partnership between the Federation
and GNP+
in 2003 by declaring the Federation to be a UNAIDS Collaborating
Centre for the reduction of HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination
in partnership with GNP+ at the global, regional and local
levels.
Campaign leaders Bernard Gardiner,
Manager, HIV/AIDS global programme
Health and community care
