World Aids day is one of the most important awareness days which is related to our health. Every year World Aids Day is celebrated on the 1st of December to raise awareness about AIDS (Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome) which is a pandemic disease caused due to HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) infection. It is an opportunity for the whole world to unite and fight against HIV and show love and support for the people who are facing HIV disease.
World AIDS Day is one of the eight official global health campaigns which is marked by the World Health Organizations (WHO), World Blood Donor Day, World Hepatitis Day, World Immunization Week, World Tuberculosis Day, World No Tobacco Day, World Malaria Day, and World Health Day.
Theme of World Aids Day 2022
This year the theme of World Aids Day 2022 will focus on the Slogan “Equalize”
We have the ability to address the inequalities that contribute to the AIDS pandemic. On this World AIDS Day, December 1, UNAIDS is appealing with all of us to confront the inequalities that are impeding the fight to eradicate AIDS.
The slogan “Equalize” is a call to action. It serves as a call to action for all of us to work toward the tried-and-true solutions that will alleviate inequalities and aid in the eradication of AIDS. These consist of:
To ensure that everyone is well-served, increase the availability, quality, and acceptability of services for HIV treatment, testing, and prevention.
To combat the stigma and exclusion suffered by persons living with HIV and by important and marginalized communities, reform laws, policies, and practices. This will ensure that everyone is respected and accepted.
Ensure technology exchange between communities and between the Global South and North to provide equal access to the greatest HIV science.
Communities will be free to utilize and modify the “Equalize” message to draw attention to the specific inequalities they confront and to push for the remedial measures required.
A prolonged COVID-19 pandemic and a spiraling social and economic crisis are all possible outcomes if the world fails to take bold action against inequalities before 2030.
Since the first cases of AIDS were reported forty years ago, HIV continues to pose a threat to the global community. Not because of a lack of knowledge or tools to fight AIDS, but because of structural inequalities that hinder effective HIV prevention and treatment solutions, the world is currently off course from meeting the shared commitment to end the disease by 2030.
From 2005 to 2010 there was the same theme “Stop AIDS, Keep the Promise” decided to encourage the political leaders to achieve universal access to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, care, and support till 2010.
History of World AIDS Day
First World AIDS Day was observed in August 1987 “James W. Bunn and Thomas Netter” by the two public information officers for the Global Programme on AIDS at World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. They both shared the idea to Dr. Jonathan Mann, Director of the Global Programme on AIDS (which is now known as UNAIDS). Dr. Mann liked and approved the concept with the recommendation of the first World AIDS Day observance should be on 1st December 1988.
Logo of UNAIDS
In 1996, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) became operational and started the planning and promotions of World AIDS Day. Besides the focus on a single day in 1997, the UNAIDS created a different campaign on World AIDS Day to focus the whole year on education, communication, and prevention and in 2004 the campaign of the World AIDS day became an independent organization.
Importance of World AIDS Day
World AIDS Day is important as it reminds the public and government that HIV is an important health issue and still there is a need to raise awareness, money to fight prejudice and education. AIDS is one of the global health issues recorded in our history. As per the statistics of 2017, 28.7 million people and 41.5 million people worldwide are died due to AIDS and an estimate of 36 million people are living with HIV also in the UK, 101,600 people are living with HIV.
According to recent access to antiretroviral treatment in many regions of the world, the death rate has been reduced, as per the data 1 million in 2006 compared to last in 2005 1.9 million death is recorded
Campaign of World AIDS Day
On this World AIDS Day take a stand to stop HIV related stigma and help to end the loneliness and isolation of many people who are facing or living with HIV. This year’s Campaign is “Rock the Ribbon Together”. Red Ribbon not only suits your outfit but has the power to show love to the families of HIV.
How to celebrate World AIDS Day?
It is a day to show solidarity to the millions of people by wearing a “Red Ribbon” (HIV awareness ribbon) on World AIDS Day or you can visit one of thrown by organizations, NGOs and other private companies. For many organizations, December is celebrated as World AIDS Day month.
Importance of Red Ribbon
The Red Ribbon is a universal symbol for the World AIDS Day, it is a symbol of love and support to the people who are suffering or living with HIV and concern for the people who lost their lives due to AIDS. Wearing Red Ribbon on World AIDS Day is a great way to spread awareness on World AIDS Day.
Swikriti Dandotia
