World AIDS Day 2006 and the Women's Campaign
1 December is World AIDS Day, traditionally marked with the wearing of a red ribbon. The World AIDS Day web site describes the significance of this day as:
"... an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV and AIDS. This year, it's up to you, me and us to stop the spread of HIV and end prejudice."
The web site of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS states that almost half of the adults living with HIV and AIDS today are women. Over the past two years, the number of women and girls infected with HIV has increased in every region of the world. In sub-Saharan Africa, 60% of adults living with HIV are women and girls. The Positively Women web site states that there are approximately 7,000 women living with HIV in the UK.
The persistence of gender inequality around the world is an important additional factor to consider - many women are subjected to sexual violence, denied access to basic education and often shoulder the responsibility of caring for others living with HIV/AIDS. Dr Peter Piot, UNAIDS executive director, said in 2004:
"Strategies to address gender inequalities are urgently needed if we want a realistic chance at turning back the epidemic. Concrete action is needed to prevent violence against women and ensure access to property and inheritance rights, basic education and employment rights for women and girls." [See BBC article]
For more information:
NUS and Interact Worldwide's Sexual Health & Rights Campaign Pack 2006
Personal stories from women living with HIV/AIDS on the Positively Women Site
Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS
Product Red - Campaign to fight AIDS in Africa, launched by the musician Bono
Kofi Annan, UN Secretary-General's message on World AIDS Day 2006
Return to this campaign's homepage or view all articles in this campaign.