A Collective Effort to Address HIV/AIDS
An AIDS campaign event was held at the Youth Creativity Palace on Worlds AIDS Day, December the 1st, where governmental, private and UN partners expressed to over 200 participants the importance of having a tolerant attitude towards people living with HIV. The parties involved in the event’s organisation, and the promotion of its crucial message, included the UNDP/Global fund, Fund Forum, the Social Initiatives Support Fund (SISF) and the Kelajak ovozi Youth Initiative Center. The event was also supported by UNAIDS and UNFPA, in addition to the Ministry of Public Education and the Ministry of Health of Uzbekistan.
While the day’s agenda included a variety of events such as speeches by government officials, representatives of international organizations and NGOs, an exhibition of photos and informational material developed by the organisations dedicated to preventing the spread of HIV, presentation of videos addressing HIV/AIDS topics and a concert performed by famed Uzbek musicians, all of these activities worked towards a single purpose. This primary intention was to spread the message that every individual has a right to the understanding, support and care that they require, and that people living with HIV are no exception to this rule. The event also highlighted the need to prevent the spread of HIV, while emphasising that every individual is responsible for their own health and that of their loved ones. Through the attendance of various participants including representatives of national and international organisations and NGOs, broadcast and print journalists, adolescents from Tashkent schools and individuals living with HIV, this important message reached a large portion of Uzbek society.
UNDP Assistant Resident Representative Stefan Liller has expressed his organisation’s appreciation of the campaign, and the work undertaken in Uzbekistan in preventing and reducing the impact of HIV/AIDS. “UNDP always supports this sort of events which help us achieve considerable success in the fight against AIDS and our efforts to raise public awareness,” he said. “We appreciate the efforts being made in Uzbekistan in this area. Just as important are the activities overseen by non-governmental organisations in Uzbekistan, particularly the Fund Forum and the SISF, whose support has been instrumental.”
The Red Ribbon event served as a forum for people who are not indifferent to the problem of HIV and AIDS, and who are prepared to contribute their efforts to addressing one of humanity’s gravest concerns. All the event’s organisers shared the same intentions; to achieve zero new HIV infections, zero AIDS-related deaths, and zero discrimination. A particularly noteworthy part of the proceedings was a presentation of the work carried out by young participants in order to address the HIV/AIDS problem. A series of videos, informational materials and short theatrical performances illustrated the breadth of their efforts, along with their unique visions and methods used to improve awareness of HIV/AIDS while working towards the prevention of new infections.
UNFPA National Programme Officer on Gender Issues and Youth Mr. Ulugbek Zaribbaev showed his appreciation of these efforts. “It’s good to see so many young people who have been united in their endeavours to help young people living with HIV,” he said. “This campaign demonstrates that together we can accomplish a lot. I hope that our collaboration will continue, and that our efforts will be effective and will yield a lot of positive results.”
This influential event showcased the efforts undertaken in Uzbekistan in order to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS, while improving public understanding of the subject. It is hoped that this and the similar events which occurred on World AIDS Day will lead to better prevention of new HIV infections in Uzbekistan.