We have known this epidemic for 25 years. In the United States, it was 15 years of dying followed, for most of us, by 10 years of living. But when we look across the globe, it is still, today, mostly 25 years of dying. There is no question that we have the capacity to change that.
With close to 20 million deaths since the early days of the epidemic, 40 million people living with HIV, 4.3 million new infections and 2.9 million deaths caused by AIDS in 2006, the world is facing the most severe health crisis in history.
Everyone should care about AIDS. Unity is the strength in the fight against AIDS. I hope everybody can take responsibility to protect themselves and their partners from HIV infection.
Today, on World AIDS Day, the global community once again takes stock of the progress made and the considerable challenges ahead in the global fight against AIDS. As I have seen during my recent travels to Africa, many lifesaving efforts, undertaken by courageous champions, are serving increasing numbers of individuals and families in communities both large and small. But more, so much more, needs to be done.
Today on the 1st of December, many people remember that AIDS is still around. But AIDS needs to be remembered everyday and we must fight this pandemic, through prevention but above all support those who are already suffering.
On this day, the International Community of Women living with HIV/AIDS in East Africa raise and add our voice to the many; to our fellow fighters, advocates and activists, political leaders and all players to be accountable and keep to our promise. THE WAR must be won and this calls for concerted efforts.
I would like to reiterate a common place saying in the HIV and AIDS response: `It is not about how you contracted the virus — it is about how we will all respond to the HIV infection.` So there is no room for moralizing the epidemic or placing judgment. I will not keep you guessing- yes, I am HIV positive; I am a woman, and I am from Africa. And I am here to remind each and every one of us of the importance of keeping our promise.
After twenty years’ experience and hundreds of conferences and seminars, it is time to move beyond the endlessly repeated statistics, and to face the AIDS challenge head-on with effective specific solutions. We know what must be done to prevent further infection, expand care, treatment, and support, and reduce stigma and discrimination.
I hope that World AIDS Day will serve to foster greater responsibility in curing the disease, as well as in the commitment to avoid all discrimination of those who have been affected.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights calls upon “every organ of society” to promote and secure the recognition and observance of human rights.