"To fight HIV and AIDS effectively we need to fight stigma and discrimination. To fight stigma and discrimination we need to start by examining our own attitudes. The Live and Let Live campaign encourages people to reflect on their attitudes. HIV and AIDS can touch raw nerves in our communities. People have been disowned by their families, fired from their jobs, asked to leave their homes and schools and have faced discrimination in hospitals after revealing their HIV status. In extreme cases they have even been physically attacked.
The stigma associated with HIV and AIDS relates to deep taboos within society. For many the disease has a strong association with death, sex and drug use - issues that many of us find difficult to talk openly about. Along with a general discomfort in discussing these issues many communities also still have high levels of ignorance, denial, fear and intolerance about HIV and AIDS. It is this combination that can lead to strong negative reactions.
It is not only people currently living with an HIV diagnosis who are at risk from stigma and discrimination. Left unchallenged these attitudes can create a general climate of fear where many people become more afraid of stigma and discrimination than of the disease itself.
When these conditions prevail people often choose to remain untested even if they know they have taken risks. This creates the kind of environment where the disease can easily spread. We know that people can live with HIV without appearing or feeling unwell. People who ignore their real or possible HIV status risk faster disease progression themselves and risk spreading HIV to others.
Help us fight fear, shame, ignorance and injustice worldwide."
UNAIDS
For more information about World AIDS Day, contact:
UNAIDS
The Communication and Public Information Unit
wac@unaids.org