Zero stigma, zero discrimination

World Aids Day is commemorated every year on December 1 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, held for the first time in 1988.Thousands of people are living with HIV; globally there is an estimated 34 million people who have the virus.

Despite the virus only being identified in 1984, more than 35 million people have died of HIV or Aids, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history.

The UNAIDS World AIDS Day theme for 2011 to 2015 is: “Getting to Zero”. This year, South Africa will focus on ‘Zero discrimination’, without losing sight of the other ‘zeroes’, ‘Zero new HIV infections’ and ‘Zero Aids related deaths.

The day is an opportunity for all South Africans to remind themselves that HIV is still a reality and that it is incumbent on all of us to continue fighting prejudice, and rethink stigma and discrimination.

Today, scientific advances have been made in HIV treatment, there are laws to protect people living with HIV and we understand so much more about the condition.

Despite this, each year people are diagnosed with HIV, people do not know the facts about how to protect themselves and others. People are fearful of going to a clinic or HIV testing service and do not disclose their status because they are afraid of being abandoned and discriminated.

If we all know and share our status and disclose without fear of judgment or rejection, we can conquer the disease. Even though treatment is available, there is no cure for HIV.

People have to learn to live with a chronic disease and manage the side effects of the drugs. Many people have suicidal thoughts or even attempt suicide as a result of the stigma they suffer or fear.

Fear of being seen at the clinic, or fear that a family member or loved one may find the drugs and discover the truth stops people from accessing the treatment that is their right and could lower the levels of HIV in their bodies.

Women tend to experience greater stigma and discrimination than men, and are more likely to experience it in its harshest and most damaging form. Stigma and discrimination are daily realities for people living with HIV and for people belonging to groups that are particularly vulnerable to HIV infection.

Such groups include sex workers, men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, prisoners, and people with tuberculosis. World Aids Day is an opportunity to show support to and solidarity with the millions of people living with HIV.

Wearing a red ribbon is one simple way to do this. Although World Aids Day is a great opportunity to talk about HIV, it is important to keep the momentum going all year round.