World AIDS Day
December 1st is World AIDS Day. The Canadian Red Cross (CRC) stands in solidarity with the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (the Movement) as it supports programming to reduce stigma, discrimination and the devastating impact that HIV/AIDS has on communities and individuals.
This year, the CRC is promoting the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ (IFRC) global anti-stigma and discrimination campaign: ‘Come closer…’ which is aimed at dispelling myths and fears about HIV transmission with anti-stigma messages.
The IFRC around the world further encourage communities to come closer to people living with HIV/AIDS and embrace them as meaningful and contributing members of society.
‘Come closer…’ supports the 5-year theme of the World AIDS Campaign: ‘Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise’, which reminds governments of the commitments they made when they signed the Declaration of Commitment at the 2001 UN General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS. One of the commitments made by governments was to enact legislation to protect people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) against HIV-related discrimination. Many governments are yet to meet this commitment and need to be reminded to ‘come closer…’ to PLWHA and protect their rights to live a long and meaningful life free from discrimination.
Canadian Red Cross in Action
- Helping combat HIV/ AIDS in China
- Canadian Red Cross Program Manager receives prestigious Golden Summit Award
- Helping combat HIV/ AIDS in Aboriginal Communities
