FHI/Egypt Observes World AIDS Day

JANUARY 2009 — FHI celebrated World AIDS Day on December 30 in Menofia, Egypt, with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Reproductive Health Support Team (RHST) of the Egyptian Family Planning Association (EFPA), and the National Party of Menofia. The event took place in the main hall of the National Party premises.

The celebration included speeches by representatives of FHI, UNFPA, EFPA, the National Party, and the Ministry of Health and Population, in addition to a brief about RHST activities. RHST is affiliated with Menofia's youth-friendly clinics, which FHI supports by providing technical assistance. The clinics are under the umbrella of EFPA and funded by UNFPA.

Attendees at the event were shown a PowerPoint presentation, "Facts about HIV/AIDS in addition to Stigma and Discrimination," which was developed and presented by a member of RHST. Participants also watched a multimedia movie revealing the stigma and discrimination faced by people living with HIV and AIDS. RHST members created both the movie and a song focusing on the same themes.

The Governor of Menofia, whose schedule kept him from attending the event, insisted on meeting the organizers in his office to congratulate them and reaffirm his political support of HIV/AIDS activities in Menofia.

PHOTOS: (Top) Menofia’s Governor and officials with representatives of UNFPA, FHI, and EFPA. (Bottom) Attendees of the event, some of them with labels demonstrating support to PLHA. (FHI/Egypt)