UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé and UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassador Victoria Beckham have completed a joint visit to Ethiopia to increase awareness about HIV and to underline the need to accelerate the international response to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030.
At the start of their visit, Mr Sidibé and Ms Beckham went to the Alem Children Support Organization, a privately run centre that provides assistance to orphans and underprivileged children affected by HIV, enabling them to access health-care services and attend school.
On the second day, they travelled to the ALERT hospital in Addis Ababa and met mothers, babies and children affected by HIV. During the visit, they also attended a youth group meeting, at which young people come together to lend each other mutual support.
Later, Mr Sidibé and Ms Beckham spent the afternoon at Entoto Beth Artisan, a local business that employs around 120 women living with HIV to make leather goods and traditional jewellery.
“It has been educational, it has been emotional but most of all so positive. I was impressed by the care and support services – the young mothers helping each other over a cup of coffee. To make change happen, no-one must be left behind, especially young girls, who are more vulnerable to HIV infection.”
Victoria Beckham, UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassador
“During this trip with Victoria Beckham, we are seeing how we are moving from despair to hope. We are seeing mothers being kept healthy and their babies born free from HIV.”
Michel Sidibé, UNAIDS Executive Director
