ADDIS ABABA (December 1, 2006) - Ethiopia commemorated World AIDS Day 2006 under the global theme “Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise.” Variety of activities took place in the country addressing different issues of HIV/AIDS mainly focusing on prevention among youth; care and support to persons living with HIV/AIDS and orphans and vulnerable children.
The AIDS Resource Center developed various campaign materials supporting the advocacy efforts related to World AIDS Campaign - 2006 in Ethiopia. Four posters, flyers, radio public service announcements, banners, and red ribbons were produced for the campaign.
Close to 40 organizations (ARC being one) came together to discuss, prioritize and synchronize the advocacy issues for this year’s World AIDS Campaign. Issues picked were: “ART & Nutrition for PLHWA,” “Care and Support for orphans and vulnerable children” and “prevention among youth.” Nutrition to PLWHA has become a concern issue of advocates since adherence to antiretroviral treatment is significantly impacted by access to adequate food and nutrition. Many are especially keen to see that food security at household level become part of the HIV/AIDS response in prevention, treatment and care and support. Thus ART and Nutrition should be brought to the attention of the political leadership, donor community and various civic organizations.
Messages calling the youth to make informed decisions regarding their sexuality specially to delay sexual debut, to be faithful and to use condoms were echoed by youth clubs, organizations and local associations that work with youth in Ethiopia. Fun events, art competitions and in-and out-of-school youth activities were organized by various institutions all over the country.
Another major issue was the protection of the rights of orphans and vulnerable children that campaigners took to heart and rallied for as part of the World AIDS Campaign. More than 500 young children between the age of 10 and 15 rallied at the Office of the Prime Minister bringing to the attention of the leadership regarding the plight of children infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.
There are currently about 700,000 children in Ethiopia who have lost one or both parents to AIDS. Support for these orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) is critical and advocates would like to see that interventions involving children include nutritional and economic support; access to education, legal aid, medical care, psychological and emotional care, and other social and material support.
“Our children are our country’s future. We have to strengthen our fight against HIV/AIDS to secure these children’s future which is also the future of our country,” says an activist at World AIDS Campaign launch at the Prime Minister’s Office, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Currently there are two major funds that support the fight against HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia - the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the Global Fund.
Contacts:
Wz. Selamawit Mamo
Media Liaison Officer
AIDS Resource Center
Tel: +251-11-5503584
Fax: +251-11-5503749
Email: SelamawitM@etharc.org
www.etharc.org