December 1st, 1988, World AIDS Day December 1st, 1998, Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Day – this day also launches the beginning of Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week
The World AIDS Day theme for 2009 is “Universal Access and Human Rights” Global leaders have pledged to work towards universal access to HIV prevention, treatment and care, recognizing these as fundamental human rights. Valuable progress has been made in increasing access to HIV/AIDS Services, yet greater commitment is needed around the world. Millions of people continue to be infected with HIV every year.The protection of human rights is fundamental to combating the global HIV/AIDS epidemic. Violations against human rights fuel the spread of HIV, putting marginalized groups such as injection drug users and sex workers at a higher risk of HIV infection. By promoting individual human rights, new infections can be prevented and people who have HIV can live free from discrimination.
World AIDS Day provides an opportunity for all of us – individuals, communities and political leaders – to take action and ensure that human rights are protected and global targets for HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care are met.
Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week resonates this important theme and how it pertains to Canadian Aboriginal issues. HIV/AIDS is disproportionately distributed across global populations as it hits hardest in areas where structural economic and development challenges are greatest. This is mirrored in Canada’s Aboriginal communities, which represented about 7.5% of all Canadians living with HIV in 2005. Aboriginal people are overrepresented among reported AIDS cases in Canada and made up a startling 23.4% of new HIV infections in 2006: 2.8 times higher than the infection rate for non-Aboriginal people.
In recognition of this day and to honor those that are living with HIV/AIDS and those that have passed before us from HIV/AIDS; All Nations Hope AIDS Network and AIDS Programs South Saskatchewan will be working together to create awareness in the community. Please join us at one or both of the locations:
