AEGiS-IFRC: Making a song and dance of World AIDS Day in Geneva

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Making a song and dance of World AIDS Day in Geneva

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Cresent Societies - December 1 2003
Felicita Nanuses in Geneva

"Living with the virus is not the end of the world. When I joined the support group of the Soweto Red Cross home carers, they gave me hope and another chance in life," said Paul Musi, a young HIV-positive member of the Soweto branch Red Cross volunteer's choir who spoke out about his status at the International Federation World AIDS Day celebrations in Geneva on Monday (1 December).

Paul and his fellow choir members from the South Africa Red Cross Society helped mark the World AIDS Day with an evening filled with singing and dancing, organised in partnership with UNAIDS, the World Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance and the Young Women's Christian Association.

The choir, who had been in Switzerland on a five-day performance tour at the invitation of the International Federation, explained that they fill their days with music and dance as they give support and care for terminally ill patients in their community. 'After a hard day, we meet to discuss the challenges we faced and end the sessions with singing and dancing,' said Paul.

Speaking on World AIDS Day, the President of the International Federation, Juan Manuel Suarez del Toro acknowledged the efforts of Red Cross Red Crescent volunteers and others working on the front lines in the fight against HIV/AIDS and stated that all the work would not have been possible without partnerships.

'We cannot face the HIV/AIDS crisis alone. We need to join forces and work in partnership if we are to be successful. The work carried out in prevention and care, and to make treatment more accessible to the communities that we represent and serve, as well as the actions taken to reduce stigma and discrimination, could not have been possible without strong partnerships with UN agencies, organizations of people living with HIV/AIDS, governments and civil society,' he said.

Saurez del Toro noted that many challenges still lie ahead as more than 95 per cent of people requiring antiretroviral treatment in developing countries have no access to the drugs, leading to three million deaths each year. He announced plans by the International Federation and its National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to support governments in the delivery of antiretroviral drugs as well as steps taken to provide treatment for Red Cross and Red Crescent staff and volunteers living with HIV/AIDS through the recently created "Masambo Fund".

Speaking at the same event, UNAIDS Director of Monitoring and Evaluation, Dr. Paul DeLay commended organizations, governments and individuals working to negate the impacts of HIV/AIDS for their commitment. 'The global response to AIDS has entered an extraordinary and historical new era of opportunity. This is being driven by political will and leadership, the development of effective medicines and interventions, and increased resources to fight the epidemic,' he said.

DeLay discussed efforts made by the UN to counter the impact of HIV/AIDS through the announcement of a campaign by UNAIDS and WHO to ensure at least three of the six million people currently needing life-saving antiretroviral therapy receive treatment by 2005.

Lack of access to HIV prevention information and methods was also emphasised as a continuing issue, with fewer than one in five people having access to any sort of HIV prevention. Federation President Saurez del Toro added that stigma and discrimination also negate prevention and awareness programmes.

'In the past two years we have been implementing a global campaign to dispel stigma in partnership with organizations present here today. But despite all we have learned about this pandemic, discriminatory attitudes and policies continue to stigmatize and discriminate against people living with HIV/AIDS. That is why the International Federation will be encouraging governments to take practical measures to eliminate legal and policy barriers that discriminate against PLWHA and other vulnerable groups, during International Conference here in Geneva over the next few days,' he explained.

As the choir sang and danced the night away, participants in the celebrations were reminded to ensure that every day is World AIDS Day and to be bold in the face of this epidemic as they work towards a world free of AIDS.

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