Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2008. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
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UNAIDS - December 4, 2008
Stigma towards people living with HIV as well as the need to halt the spread of the disease were the main themes discussed by a gathering of First Ladies of Africa which took place earlier today in Dakar. Their panel discussion on the HIV response was moderated by Mr Michel Sidibe, UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director.
On the occasion of the 15th International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA) taking place in Dakar this week, high-level delegates, civil society representatives and technical experts from across Africa and elsewhere are gathering for discussions under the theme "Africa's Response: Face the facts."
Madame Lobbo Traore Toure, First Lady of Mali; Madame Jeannette Kagame, First Lady of Rwanda and Her Royal Highness, Princess Lalla Salma of Morocco participated in this afternoon's event.
Thanking them for their presence and for their long-term personal engagement in the AIDS response, UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director Michel Sidibe spoke of how their commitment has enabled the creation of dialogue and political action around the issue of stigma and HIV prevention.
"As mothers, spouses and concerned citizens, you, First Ladies of Africa, have decided to take leadership on AIDS, speaking out against stigma and against violence against women and girls and advocating for the protection and rights of people living with HIV," said Mr Sidibe.
At the meeting the panelists spoke of the importance of HIV prevention programmes and brought into focus priorities including the care of orphans and vulnerable children, preventing mother-to-child HIV transmission and access to paediatric treatment. The panellists also discussed how resources could be better mobilized for HIV programmes at country level.
The First Ladies shared their experiences of the HIV response through regional organizations such as the Organization of African First Ladies Against AIDS (OAFLA) and Synergies Africaines, as well as in their own countries through national organizations. The meeting was a chance to exchange perspectives and enhance collaboration in west Africa.
In 2007 the OAFLA launched the "Save the Unborn Child First Ladies Campaign" in the 50 OAFLA member countries. This campaign focuses on the prevention of HIV transmission from mother to child. The prevention of new infections among young people, and protection of children affected by HIV from stigma were the aims of the "Treat every child as your own" campaign launched by OAFLA in 2005.
Yesterday during the conference opening ceremony, Princess Lalla Salma, spouse of King Mohammed VI of Morocco, received the prize of the 15th ICASA 2008 in recognition of her commitment to the fight against AIDS. The prize was presented by ICASA's chairman, Professor Soulaymane Mboup.
2008 Report on the global AIDS epidemic
This Report was first published on a flash drive distributed at the XVII International AIDS Conference held in Mexico City August 2008. This online edition-which incorporates all corrections to the first electronic edition and is also the first print edition-should be regarded as definitive.
Publications:
Executive summary: 2008 Report on the global AIDS epidemic (pdf, 3.7 mb)
View 2008 Report on the global AIDS epidemic - Executive Summary as eBook
A global view of HIV infection - Estimated adult HIV prevalence for countries in 2007
(jpg, 1.5 mb)
2008 Report on the global AIDS epidemic:
Table of contents
Figures, Acknowledgements, Foreword
170kb
Chapter 1: The global HIV challenge: assessing progress, identifying obstacles, renewing commitment
340kb
Chapter 2: Status of the global HIV epidemic
5.6mb
Chapter 3: Addressing societal causes of HIV risk and vulnerability
470kb
Chapter 4: Preventing new HIV infections: the key to reversing the epidemic
680kb
Chapter 5: Treatment and care: unprecedented progress, remaining challenges
520kb
Chapter 6: Mitigating the epidemic's impact on households, communities, and societies
690kb
Chapter 7: Where do we go from here? Sustaining an effective, robust HIV response for the long-term
420kb
Annex l: HIV and AIDS estimates and data, 2007 and 2001
Annex I as Excel Table (Excel, 160 kb) 200kb
Annex ll: Country Progress Indicators
460kb
References, Photo credits
140kb
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