Advocacy

The World Economic Forum has selected James Chau, UNAIDS National Goodwill Ambassador for China and television personality, to join its Forum of Young Global Leaders.

The Forum of Young Global Leaders is a community of young leaders from around the world who contribute fresh thinking, multi stakeholder engagement and dynamic new ways of collaborating to develop solutions to complex global issues. The 900 Young Global Leaders are already successful and accomplished in their own fields. They join a broad community of other young leaders who commit both their time and talent to have a positive impact on global challenges. 

As the main anchor for 10 years for China Central Television’s (CCTV’s) English Channel, Mr Chau has reported on key global events and development issues. He is currently Special Contributor to CCTV News and a columnist with the Huffington Post. He is also active across social media, with a following of 1.7 million on the Chinese microblogging site Weibo.

Since his appointment in 2009, Mr Chau has used television and digital media platforms to help support people living with and affected by HIV. 

At the fifty-ninth session of the Commission on the Status of Women, being held in New York, United States of America, a Kenyan campaign to stop new HIV infections among children has been highlighted as an example of what committed political leadership can achieve in improving women’s access to health care.

The First Lady of Kenya, Margaret Kenyatta, launched her Beyond Zero campaign to improve maternal health and stop children being born with HIV in 2014. Less than a year later, 18 mobile health clinics are now serving some of the country’s most affected communities, with many more planned to open soon.

Ms Kenyatta raised some of the initial funding for the campaign by running in sponsored marathons. She inspired around 30 000 people to join her, propelling the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV to the top of the country’s health agenda.

Last month, the President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, also pledged the country’s support and leadership for the global All In campaign to end adolescent AIDS, which was launched in Nairobi in March 2015.

More than 15 000 Kenyans, including the First Lady, Margaret Kenyatta, took part in the second First Lady’s Annual Half Marathon on International Women’s Day, 8 March, raising more than US$ 4 million.

The money raised will be donated to the Beyond Zero campaign, which aims to improve maternal and child health across Kenya. Since the campaign was launched in January 2014, Beyond Zero has made a significant impact by providing fully equipped mobile health clinics that bring essential services closer to vulnerable communities, including people living in informal settlements.

In recent years, Kenya has made notable progress in improving the health of mothers and children. New HIV infections among children declined from 21 000 in 2009 to 13 000 in 2013. An estimated 63% of pregnant women living with HIV accessed treatment services aimed at preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV in 2013, but only 31% of children living with HIV had access to antiretroviral treatment in the same year. 

At the Cricket World Cup 2015, cricketing champions show their commitment to raise awareness around HIV and break down stigma and discrimination

AUCKLAND/GENEVA, 5 March 2015—Players and officials at the International Cricket Council (ICC) Cricket World Cup 2015, being held in Australia and New Zealand, are raising awareness around HIV in efforts to eliminate discrimination and increase solidarity around ending the AIDS epidemic. Thirteen World Cup matches, including the final on 29 March, are being dedicated to THINK WISE, a partnership between the ICC, UNAIDS and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), which uses the spirit of cricket to support global efforts to end the AIDS epidemic.

“Cricket is one of the most popular sports in the world and the game’s champions have a real power to inspire young people and share knowledge about HIV,” said UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director Jan Beagle. “The support of the cricketing world demonstrates how ending the AIDS epidemic is a common goal for people from all walks of life.”

Umpires are wearing the THINK WISE logo on their shirts throughout the World Cup and a video message recorded by ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Ambassador and Sri Lanka batting legend Kumar Sangakkara is playing on the giant stadium screens in all the matches featuring the campaign. Players and officials in the final match will wear red ribbons to show their commitment and solidarity for people living with and affected by HIV.

JP Duminy, Aaron Phangiso, Kyle Abbott and Wayne Parnell of the South African national cricket team took to the pitch with a team of young people in Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand, to encourage young fans to learn more about HIV. This special event, organized by the THINK WISE partners, together with the New Zealand AIDS Foundation, Positive Women Inc. and Body Positive, New Zealand, is part of the ongoing efforts to bring the issue of adolescent AIDS to the forefront.

“Adolescents aged 10 to 19 years old are the only age group where deaths due to AIDS are not decreasing,” said Craig McClure, Chief of HIV/AIDS and Associate Director of Programmes at UNICEF. “Stigma and discrimination are major contributors to preventing early diagnosis, treatment and care among adolescents. We can and we must remove the shame that clings to a positive diagnosis.”

South African players talked to the young fans about how HIV has affected the lives of millions of people in their home country. Star All-rounder JP Duminy said, “HIV is a serious issue for my country, but no matter where you are in the world, it’s important to get the facts about HIV. With cricket, we can use the spirit of cricket to help break down the stigma and discrimination around the disease.”

Encouraging the fans to mix their passion for cricket with a passion for action on HIV, the South Africa cricketers also gave the youth attending the event tips on how to improve their batting, bowling and fielding skills during a coaching session.

In 2013, there were around 35 million people living with HIV globally, many of whom live in major cricket-loving countries, including India and South Africa. Young people are particularly affected by HIV. In 2013, there were 250 000 new infections among adolescents and AIDS was the second leading cause of adolescent deaths worldwide.

Many of the matches are taking place in New Zealand, which has a strong HIV prevention programme and where HIV prevalence remains low. Despite this success, people living with HIV continue to be affected by stigma and discrimination in New Zealand. A recent survey conducted by AIDS organizations in New Zealand found that 50% of people surveyed would be uncomfortable having food prepared by someone living with HIV.

“Being a low prevalence country for HIV means that HIV is generally regarded as non-existent in New Zealand, which can make living with HIV here an extremely isolating experience,” said Jane Bruning of Positive Women Inc. “Initiatives such as THINK WISE help to raise awareness, which helps to reduce HIV-related stigma and discrimination.”

About the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015

For more information on the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, including team fixtures, go to: http://www.icc-cricket.com/cricket-world-cup.

The official tournament hashtag is #cwc15.

Fast facts:

• The ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 will be hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
• Fourteen teams: Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa, Sri Lanka, United Arab Emirates, West Indies and Zimbabwe.
• Fourteen host cities: Adelaide, Auckland, Brisbane, Canberra, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, Hobart, Napier, Nelson, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney and Wellington.
• Forty-two pool matches—three in each host city.
• Every visiting team plays in both countries.

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.

UNICEF

UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere. For more information about UNICEF and its work visit: www.unicef.org Follow UNICEF on Facebook and Twitter.

Vera Brezhneva, UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, has called for zero discrimination during a visit to a centre providing services for people living with HIV in Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation.

Ms Brezhneva visited the Centre for Social Services for Families and Children in the Krasnoselsky district of the city on the eve of Zero Discrimination Day on 1 March. One of the centre’s main goals is to provide social support for women living with HIV, as well as for their children and other family members.

The centre is part of a pilot project launched by the city of Saint Petersburg that aims to broaden support for people living with HIV. More than 260 people, including pregnant women, former prisoners and drug users, are benefiting from the centre’s services, which include peer-to-peer counselling, care and support. 

GENEVA, 26 February 2015—Discrimination continues to affect the lives of millions of people around the world. On 1 March, Zero Discrimination Day, people from all corners of the world will unite under the theme of Open Up, Reach Out in order to celebrate diversity and reject discrimination in all its forms.

The support garnered for Zero Discrimination Day has created a global movement of solidarity to end discrimination, which remains widespread. Millions of women and girls in every region of the world experience violence and abuse and are unable to exercise their rights or gain access to health-care services, education or employment. Discrimination at work, school and health-care and other settings reduces people’s ability to participate fully and meaningfully in societies and provide and care for themselves and their families. Globally, there are almost 80 countries that still have laws criminalizing same-sex sexual relations. Some 38 countries, territories and areas impose some form of restriction on the entry, stay and residence of people living with HIV. Furthermore, legal and social environments are still failing to address stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV and those most vulnerable to HIV infection.    

“Discrimination is a violation of human rights and must not go unchallenged,” said United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. “Everyone has the right to live with respect and dignity.”

For this year’s Zero Discrimination Day people have been invited to Open Up, Reach Out, using social media channels to tell the world what zero discrimination means to them. People have shared songs, poems, thoughts and activities inspired by the butterfly, the transformative symbol of the campaign. People are also calling on their governments to make greater efforts to realize and protect human rights and eliminate discrimination.

“Some of the world’s most challenging problems can be solved simply by eliminating stigma and discrimination,” said Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS. “As we collectively strive for a fairer world we can be encouraged by the enthusiasm for achieving zero discrimination.”

Among celebrities supporting the campaign are UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassador David Luiz, who posted a special message on standing up to racism, UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador Toumani Diabaté and his son, Sidiki Diabaté, as well as the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Ambassador and Sri Lankan cricketing star, Kumar Sangakkara, whose message is being played on screens at venues hosting the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 in Australia and New Zealand. Governments, lawmakers and business leaders have also pledged their support to the campaign.

Events to mark Zero Discrimination Day include photo exhibitions in China, dancing in Gabon, concerts in Madagascar, a storytelling event for children in Mongolia and special film screenings in Nepal. Seminars and workshops to discuss issues relating to stigma and discrimination will take place in more than 20 countries worldwide, from Colombia to Uzbekistan.

Zero Discrimination Day was first celebrated on 1 March 2014.

More information is available at:

http://www.unaids.org/en/resources/campaigns/20150204_zerodiscrimination

https://www.facebook.com/zerodiscrimination

#zerodiscrimination

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Young sports leaders from 15 countries in the Asia and Pacific region have learned about HIV prevention and sexual and reproductive health.

Some 30 volunteers participating in the Youth Leadership Programme of the United Nations Office on Sport for Development and Peace (UNOSDP), a programme designed to bring change in the volunteers’ homelands, attended a workshop in which they discussed how to talk about HIV with young people, explored ways to overcome the challenges faced by youth and debated the role of grass-roots sports activities in the HIV response.

As part of the workshop, held in the Republic of Korea, the youth leaders also designed and created innovative advocacy campaigns on HIV prevention and testing and on promoting zero discrimination, which they promised to implement in their home countries.

The workshop was led by UNAIDS youth officers and was organized by the Youth Leadership Programme of UNOSDP in partnership with Gwangju Summer Universiade Organizing Committee and the Youth Sport Trust. 

Ivorian football player Gervinho, a UNAIDS Ambassador for the Protect the Goal campaign, took the opportunity during a private stay in Gabon to learn about the AIDS epidemic in the country.

UNAIDS Officer in Charge Rodrigue Nze Eyo’o briefed Gervinho on the national epidemic, challenges and successes and the work and role of UNAIDS in the country. Awareness, prevention and testing campaigns are key to reaching youth and the most vulnerable populations. Gervinho’s generous contributions and engagement play a crucial role in reaching a large audience with important HIV prevention messages.

During his fact-finding mission, Gervinho also showed his ball skills on the pitch during an HIV awareness-raising football game organized by the nongovernmental organization Rainbow with the support of the UNAIDS Country Office in Gabon. At the game, Gervinho had the opportunity to speak to young vulnerable people, orphans, out-of-school children and young people living with HIV about the challenges they face in their daily lives.

At a ceremony in Abidjan, UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé has honoured the First Lady of Côte d’Ivoire, Dominique Ouattara, for her humanitarian work and her commitment to improving access to paediatric treatment for children living with HIV. 

“Ms. Ouattara’s personal involvement is the clearest sign of her commitment to the most disadvantaged and of her interest in the health of mothers and their children, not only in Côte d’Ivoire but in the whole of Africa,” said Mr Sidibé.

Ms Ouattara is to become a Special Advocate for UNAIDS, helping to raise awareness for programmes aimed at preventing new HIV infections among children and advocating for women and children living with HIV to access antiretroviral therapy.

“This distinction will be a catalyst for my commitment to the elimination of AIDS. From now on, every action to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Côte d’Ivoire, in Africa and in the world will find a favourable echo in me. I am fully engaged in this fight and I will remain committed until we reach an AIDS-free generation,” said Ms Ouattara.

Ms Ouattara has been involved in humanitarian issues for many years. In 1998, she created the Children of Africa Foundation, which has supported several projects in Côte d’Ivoire, including the construction of a school and a centre for unaccompanied children as well as the promotion of child immunization campaigns.