JOHANNESBURG, September 2012 (PlusNews) - Manhood might be hard to define but South African media make it even harder, according to editors of a new book, who argue that negative coverage of men is doing more harm than good, especially when it comes to HIV. Now they are looking to rewrite masculinity in a country that ranks among the most gender inequitable in the world. (Un)covering Men: Rewriting Masculinity and Health in South Africa is a compilation of works by journalism fellows through … [Read more...]
United Republic of Tanzania tackles mother-to-child transmission of HIV
September 6, 2012 by
NJOMBE REGION, United Republic of Tanzania, – A group of HIV-infected mothers and their partners have formed a mothers’ support group attached to their local health clinic in Kitulo Ward, Makete District, United Republic of Tanzania. Members of the group give psychosocial support to one another and assist HIV-positive women to follow up with their medical check-ups and treatment. The group also provides information to the community about preventing mother-to-child transmission … [Read more...]
Natural Disasters and People Living with HIV and AIDS
September 5, 2012 by
Hurricane Isaac’s impact on the Gulf Coast last week, ongoing forest fires in several Western states, and today’s earthquake in Costa Rica are all reminders of the importance of disaster preparedness, especially for people living with HIV/AIDS. In recognition of September’s observance of National Preparedness Month, we’re re-posting this blog entry from May 2011. Read more about National Preparedness Month from the Department of Homeland Security and the CDC. As if the tornadoes that recently … [Read more...]
“A picture is worth a thousand words”: Photo Sharing at AIDS 2012
September 4, 2012 by
Let's Stop HIV Together and Facing AIDS at AIDS 2012 This Labor Day, like many Americans, I spent time with friends and family and took photos that I shared with my mobile phone. Today, sharing photos on platforms such as Facebook and Instagram (we’ll write more about Instagram in a future post) offers an easy opportunity to share information about yourself and causes you care about with your social network. In the HIV community, photo sharing campaigns provide a means to mobilize around … [Read more...]
Ethiopia, HIV-positive mothers deliver babies free of the virus
August 4, 2012 by
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, August 2012 – Adanech* rushed to the Saris Health Centre in Addis Ababa when her labour pains started. Because of an effective mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) programme at the health centre, supported by UNICEF and its partners, Adanech has an excellent chance of having her wish come true. Like every mother in the world, she hoped to deliver a healthy baby. But Adanech is HIV positive, and without appropriate care, she could pass on the virus to her … [Read more...]
Ethiopia: HIV+ Mother Pulls Family Back from Brink
August 2, 2012 by
With the help of WFP's food support and livelihood assistance programmes, Belaynish Dabe and her HIV-positive husband no longer struggle to feed themselves and their children. WFP's food support to people living with HIV helps ameliorate the double burden of lack of income and deteriorating health. DEBRE ZEIT--Belaynish Dabe, an HIV-positive mother of six children, used to struggle to feed herself and her children due to a lack of regular income. She grew only maize, which she could … [Read more...]
Jamaica; frank discussion of sex, women’s socioeconomic realities needed to address HIV
August 1, 2012 by
Jamaica’s national response to HIV needs to better address the challenges faced by vulnerable persons, according to Sannia Sutherland, the Director of Prevention for Jamaica’s National HIV/Sexually Transmitted Infection Programme. Here she highlights how the socioeconomic impact of higher unemployment levels among women can disproportionately affect their ability to practice safer sex. Sannia says many must choose between buying food for their family or buying a condom. Watch the full … [Read more...]
Addressing violence against women is fighting HIV/AIDS
August 1, 2012 by
At the International AIDS Conference (IAC) held in Washington, DC, on 22–27 July 2012, the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women, managed by UN Women on behalf of the UN system, turned the spotlight on the inextricable link between HIV and violence based on gender. Meryem Aslan presents policy paper on “Effective Approaches to Addressing the Intersection of Violence against Women and HIV/AIDS.” This issue was the focus of a panel discussion cosponsored by UN Women and the World … [Read more...]
AIDS 2012 offers hope, new responses | Emilie Pradichit & Mandeep Dhaliwal
July 31, 2012 by
Washington — Science suggests an AIDS-free generation is within reach. We must reflect on lessons and human rights struggles of the last three decades of the AIDS response if we are to do better in delivering the best that science and innovation can offer to those most in need. More than 8 million people with HIV in poor and middle-income countries received AIDS medications last year, up from 6.6 million in 2010. Nearly 60 percent of the 1.5 million pregnant women living with HIV in … [Read more...]
AIDS FREE GENERATION by 2015
July 28, 2012 by
Every generation is known for something. Let's be the one that delivers an AIDS FREE GENERATION by 2015. Every day 1,000 babies are born with HIV. By 2015, that number could be near zero. Add your voice to (RED) and ONE's digital (2015)QUILT - pictures and pledges from people all over the world who are joining the fight for an AIDS FREE GENERATION by 2015. Join Hugh Jackman, Coldplay, Josh Groban, Jane Lynch, and many others on the (2015)QUILT. The beginning of the #endofAIDS starts with … [Read more...]
Meena Seshu, founder of India’s SANGRAM: HIV,VIOLENCE & SEX WORK
July 25, 2012 by
As the founder of SANGRAM, an Indian non-governmental organisation that works with sex workers to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS, Meena Seshu has strongly lobbied against the image of sex workers as powerless, irresponsible or even deserving of harm. Based in rural Maharashtra, the group seeks to empower the workers – most of whom are women – to form collectives and lobby for their rights. Here Seshu explains that in order to help reduce their vulnerability to HIV, any efforts must first help … [Read more...]
UN Women amplifies women’s voices at the International AIDS Conference
July 24, 2012 by
At the upcoming International AIDS Conference (IAC) held in Washington D.C (22 – 27 July) , UN Women aims to give visibility and amplify the voice of women, in particular women living with HIV. Held every two years, the IAC is the world’s largest conference on HIV and plays a fundamental role in shaping the global response to HIV and in keeping HIV and AIDS on the international political agenda. At this year’s Conference, UN Women will for the first time attend as an official co-sponsor of … [Read more...]
