Anti-AIDS campaigners stress need to protect women and girls
Anti-AIDS campaigners stress need to protect women and girls
Alexander G. Higgins,
Associated Press/Geneva
Campaigners sang, lit candles and marched on Wednesday as they
observed World AIDS Day by turning the spotlight on the need to
protect women and girls, often sidelined in the fight against the
disease.
"Today the face of AIDS is increasingly young and female,"
said Peter Piot, head of UNAIDS. "We will not be able to stop
this epidemic unless we put women at the heart of the response to
AIDS."
From Armenia to Zambia, concerts, marches and memorial
services were being held to keep up the pressure against
HIV/AIDS. Some 45 million people worldwide are infected with the
HIV virus that causes AIDS.
Much of the focus was on southern Africa, at the forefront of
the pandemic, with speeches, marches and rallies.
The South African cricket team was showing its support for the
fight against AIDS by wearing red ribbons -- a symbol of the
worldwide anti-AIDS movement -- on their shirts during a match
against India that was dedicated to the campaign.
Organizers of the cricket match were presenting red ribbons to
spectators. Other events in India were organized to increase
awareness of the disease.
Zambians gathered for a candlelight memorial service in the
Cathedral of the Holy Cross in the capital, Lusaka.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair said the world shouldn't
despair about helping Africa combat the disease.
"Part of the problem is that I think people get fatigued and
tired with looking at Africa because it all seems so hopeless,"
Blair told British Broadcasting Corp. radio.
"It isn't. There are things that can be done and there are
real success stories."
In Beijing, China's official launch of the day featured the
All China Women Federation and China Youth League.
Criticized for its slow response to AIDS and for harassing
health activists, the government also publicized efforts to slow
the spread of the disease among prostitutes and intravenous drug
users -- the two highest-risk groups in China.
China says it has an estimated 840,000 people infected with
the AIDS virus and 84,000 have the full-blown disease. UNAIDS has
warned that the country could have as many as 10 million people
infected by 2010 if it doesn't take urgent action.
In eastern Europe, where AIDS figures have jumped over the
past decade, events in Armenia included a concert with well-known
local artists.
Portugal, which has one of the highest rates of new AIDS
infections in western Europe, opened the new headquarters of an
association to support AIDS patients. Portuguese artists also
donated works of art for an auction to raise money.
Danish observers were gathering in a downtown Copenhagen
square to light one candle for each of the 1,800 people who have
died of AIDS in Denmark.
Piot was speaking at the United Nations' commemorative event
hosted by actors Gloria Reuben and Alan Cumming at the Cathedral
of St. John the Divine in New York City, featuring singer Mary
Wilson and South Africa's Sinikithemba Choir.
"The number of women living with HIV is on the rise in every
region," Piot said. "Prevention methods such as the ABC approach
-- Abstinence, Be faithful and use Condoms -- are good, but not
enough to protect women where gender inequality is pervasive.
"We must be able to ensure that women can choose marriage, to
decide when and with whom they have sex and to successfully
negotiate condom use."