Tuesday 2 December 2014

Why we celebrate World AIDS Day


 
 
 
 
World AIDS Day is about increasing awareness, fighting stigma, improving education, mobilizing resources and raising funds to better our response to HIV and AIDS. 2.5 million people continue to be infected with HIV each year, with 2,400 young people newly infected every day.
 
Raising awareness and knowledge of HIV is crucial to get these figures to zero.
 
This year's celebrations were held at Booma grounds in Kabalore. The World AIDS Day 2014 theme was “Getting to Zero in Africa- Africa’s Responsibility, Everyone’s Responsibility” resonates with the global theme (2012-16) Getting to Zero- Zero new HIV infections, Zero Discrimination and Zero AIDS-Related deaths.
The guest of honour was president Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
 
World AIDS Day is held on 1st December each year and is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died. World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day and the first one was held in 1988.    
 
 
World AIDS Day is an opportunity for you to learn the facts about HIV and put your knowledge into action. Find out how much you know by taking our online quiz: Are you HIV aware? Test your knowledge and awareness by taking the quiz and act aware by passing the quiz on and sharing it with your friends on Twitter and Facebook.

If you understand how HIV is transmitted, how it can be prevented, and the reality of living with HIV today - you can use this knowledge to take care of your own health and the health of others, and ensure you treat everyone living with HIV fairly, and with respect and understanding.
Click here to find out the facts.
You can also show your support for people living with HIV on World AIDS Day by wearing a red ribbon, the international symbol of HIV awareness and support.

World AIDS Day is also a great opportunity to raise money for people living with HIV and AIDS and show your support to them.
 
But what about after World AIDS Day?
Although World AIDS Day is a great opportunity to get the public talking about HIV and fundraise, we need to remember the importance of raising awareness of HIV all year round. Why not use what you have learnt on World AIDS Day to Act Aware throughout the year and remember, you can fundraise at any time of year too.


Courtesy of Flashmob and Namirimu Esther
 

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