During a three-day visit to Cameroon, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé named the First Lady, Chantal Biya, as a Special Advocate. Through her foundation and the non-profit organization African Synergy against AIDS and Suffering, Ms Biya has been advocating for the protection, education and health of women and children for more than 20 years, especially in the context of HIV.
“This award recognizes the work the First Lady has done for decades for mothers and their children, said Mr Sidibé. “We cannot forget the pioneers.”
President Paul Biya, who participated in the ceremony, which was held at the Unity Palace on 1 June, expressed his commitment to the AIDS response and said, “The government and African Synergy against AIDS and Suffering will double their efforts in the response to HIV.”
During his visit, Mr Sidibé met with 16 mayors from the cities of Douala, Bamenda and Yaoundé, home to 30% of people living with HIV in Cameroon. The mayors signed the Paris Declaration on Fast-Track Cities, which calls for ending the AIDS epidemic in cities by 2030.
Mr Sidibé also met representatives of civil society, including religious leaders, and joined Minister of Health André Mama Fouda at the launch of an HIV prevention campaign with truck drivers. In a meeting with the minister, Mr Sidibé noted that the country’s increase in national funding for the AIDS response had had good results and would have a positive impact on development.
