World AIDS Day: Canadian Red Cross Urges Communities to Tackle Gender Inequality

OTTAWA, Nov. 30 – On the eve of World AIDS Day, the Canadian Red Cross calls on Canadians to be at the forefront of the fight against HIV – including tackling gender inequalities.

“We will not reduce the dreadful HIV statistics unless gender inequalities are tackled,”, says Chris Rosene, director of development at the Canadian Red Cross. “The stark reality is that tens of millions of women all over the world continue to be prevented from managing their own sexuality, and daily face coercion, abuse, and violence.” The Red Cross HIV/AIDS strategy focuses on promoting prevention among vulnerable groups, supporting greater access to care and treatment, and reducing stigma and discrimination. The Canadian Red Cross is currently supporting community-based HIV/AIDS programming both at home and abroad.

In Canada, high levels of HIV/AIDS infections among Aboriginal communities are a devastating reality. The Tipi of Courage is a community-based initiative, which is a partnership between the Canadian Red Cross and the Aboriginal section of Calgary’s Coalition on HIV/AIDS. Volunteers deliver workshops to empower Aboriginal people to protect themselves against the threat of HIV/AIDS with teachings gathered from First Nation communities blended with traditional workshops about the disease. To date, the Tipi of Courage has reached 19,000 people.

Around the world, trained Red Cross Red Crescent volunteers are involved in home-based care programs. They play a unique role visiting clients, supporting treatment, motivating safe behaviour, providing advice on nutrition, health and hygiene, bringing psycho-social support to clients and their families, and sending clients to clinics when their health deteriorates.

“Due to the lack of health care personnel in many low income-countries, Red Cross or Red Crescent volunteers are often the only ones who can provide practical support and skill development in their communities,” says Rosene. “Our local volunteers are well prepared to overcome cultural challenges, especially when it comes to relaying prevention messages.”

HIV infection rates occurring in China and India are of great concern. The Canadian Red Cross is supporting community-based programs in both countries to help educate and support groups particularly at risk of contracting HIV, such as commercial sex workers, intravenous drug users, and young people. These programs draw on local Red Cross volunteers to also help tackle the stigma that prevents many people from being tested and treated.

The Canadian Red Cross is actively supporting the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ appeal for $342 million to support a five-year program to increase existing programs in Southern Africa. This area represents the worst-affected region in the world with approximately 12.3 million people living with HIV, including 860,000 children less than 14 years old. Programming will reach 50 million people across ten countries with messages of prevention and fighting the stigma of HIV. It will also provide services for 250,000 people living with HIV and 460,000 children who have been orphaned or made vulnerable by HIV.

Canadians wishing to make a financial donation may donate online, call 1-800-418-1111 or contact their local Canadian Red Cross office. The 24-hour toll free line accepts Visa, MasterCard and American Express. Cheques should be made payable to the Canadian Red Cross, earmarked HIV/AIDS International and mailed to Canadian Red Cross National Office, 170 Metcalfe Street, Suite 300, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 2P2.

The Canadian Red Cross is a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which includes the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross and 186 national Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Its mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity in Canada and around the world.

For further information: or to set up interviews: Canadian Red Cross Media Line, (613) 740-1994