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Family Health International |
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FHI Recognizes World AIDS Day Around The Globe -- November 24, 2004 |
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Arlington, VIRGINIA — In observance of World AIDS Day December 1st, Family Health International (FHI) will join with organizations throughout the world to raise awareness of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Focusing on this year's campaign theme, "Women, Girls, and HIV and AIDS," FHI has organized a wide variety of activities as part of the IMPACT Project, supported by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and through other projects. Select highlights include: Cambodia is hosting a full day of activities for members of the military and police and their families. In addition to speeches by local commanders, women from HIV-affected families will share their experiences. There will also be a video show about orphans and women living with AIDS, a poem competition and traditional games. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, FHI is producing a TV program to air on December 6 on voluntary HIV counseling and testing (VCT) services. The program will educate viewers on the benefits of being tested. It will also provide an opportunity to find out what people, especially women and girls, think about VCT services. In East Timor, the IMPACT Project, the National AIDS Commission, and a team of partners have organized a memorial mass at the National Cathedral, a parade, speeches by the Prime Minister, the Minister of Health and a prominent women's group representative, followed by a theatrical performance and music. The Ministry of Health, FHI, and USAID plan to officially launch the pilot VCT site in Egypt on December 1. The main event will feature a concert on December 2. In addition, HIV prevention messages will be disseminated via radio and television. In Ghana, FHI is providing technical assistance to the Ghana AIDS Commission for the planning of World AIDS Day to be launched in a provincial capital by H.E. The President of the Republic of Ghana. There will be a solidarity message from FHI at the launch, which will be attended by state dignitaries. The First Lady of Guinea will preside over the official launch of behavior change communication activities organized by FHI and our partners. Activities will take place throughout December and include musical concerts, soccer matches, theater performances, conferences, debates and other HIV/AIDS informational sessions. More than 70 USAID-FHI-funded projects in India will conduct local campaigns including street theater, plays, seminars, and personal testimonials based on the theme "Women, girls and HIV/AIDS" during the first week of December, and will link with State AIDS Control Societies WAD programs. In Indonesia FHI is supporting a "Youth and AIDS" variety show that will be broadcast throughout December on MTV, and includes music, celebrity guests, and discussions on HIV issues. Other activities include a nationwide radio talk show on December 1 on "Women, Girls and HIV/AIDS," and a live concert on December 4, that will include exhibit booths from various local AIDS organizations. MTV will film the concert and rebroadcast it four times during December. Jordan's Royal Highness Princess Muna Al-Hussein will host a special World AIDS Day ceremony supported by FHI, WHO and the Ministry of Health. The IMPACT project is also supporting the production of a World AIDS Day poster and newsletter with the Ministry of Health, and a week-long series of activities at Jordan University featuring workshops, seminars and other outreach activities for students. In Lao PDR, IMPACT and partners will sponsor a soccer match on December 17 with the local police force. Before the match, at half time, and after the match there will be a question & answer period on HIV/AIDS. In Mozambique, FHI will support films on HIV prevention in schools and public places, radio broadcasts featuring debates and programs related to HIV prevention, and public theater to encourage women to prevent mother-to-child transmission by making use of available services. In Nepal, FHI and its partner organizations, in coordination with local government agencies, will support rallies, radio programs, school-based contests, free health clinics, press conferences and various games and competitions with dissemination of a wide range of informational materials to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS. Pakistan will recognize World AIDS Day in events throughout the country, including a Candlelight Memorial, HIV/AIDS snooker matches, public theater on HIV/AIDS, and quizzes and debates in schools. A special World AIDS Day ceremony will be held at a district health center in Senegal. Senegalese and US government officials will present the center with a range of medical equipment for providing HIV/AIDS care. The center now offers integrated testing, care, treatment and nutritional support for both adults and children with HIV/AIDS. In Thailand, the Raks Thai Foundation and FHI will support a one day campaign on November 28 at one of Bangkok's biggest parks to increase understanding of HIV/AIDS and its impact on women and girls. Activities will include a play put on by youth, an exhibit by HIV-positive Thai women called "My Life, My Family," a reproductive health exhibition, a bicycle rally, a panel discussion and musical entertainment. The USAID-funded AWARE HIV/AIDS Project is organizing activities in Lomé, Togo, on December 3 to launch a week of free HIV testing for youth. These activities will be organized jointly with FHI's local partner, PSI-Togo, and two local youth associations. The ceremony will be hosted by the US Ambassador in Togo and will include public service announcements on VCT, as well as games and a rally. # # # Family Health International is dedicated to improving lives, knowledge and understanding worldwide through a highly diversified program of research, education and services in family health and HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment. Since its inception in 1971, FHI has formed partnerships with national governments and local communities throughout the developing world to support lasting improvements in the health of individuals and the effectiveness of entire health systems. FHI has a staff of 1,400 and offices in 38 countries.
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