REMARKS BY THE ACTING CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF NAC,
MRS. ‘MANNEHENG MOPELI DURING A MEDIA CONFERENCE
ON WORLD AIDS DAY TO BE COMMEMORATED ON
1 DECEMBER 2009 IN THABA-TSEKA,
HELD AT NAC BOARDROOM ON 28 OCTOBER, 2009

1. INTRODUCTION

The World AIDS Day (WAD) is globally commemorated on 1st December of each year. The day is observed in remembrance of those who have died of AIDS, and those infected and affected by HIV and AIDS. In Lesotho a decision was made to rotate the day’s commemoration by district, and this year Thaba-Tseka (Lebaleng) will play host.

The campaigning slogan for global WAD commemoration for the period 2001 to 2010 remains as “Stop AIDS, Keep the Promise”. The WAD theme to be promoted alongside the slogan has been communicated as “Universal Access and Human Rights” for 2009. It has been enhanced by a country specific theme: “Male Involvement in issues of HIV and AIDS”.

The theme is based on countries’ commitment to protect human rights in the Declaration of Commitment on HIV and AIDS (2001) and the Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS in 2006 (Maseru Declaration). The theme has been chosen to address the critical need to protect human rights and attain access for all to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. It also acts as a call to countries to remove laws that discriminate against people living with HIV and AIDS.

This press conference seeks to brief members of the media about the activities that are due to take place as build up to the commemorative day in Thaba-Tseka as well as activities during commemorative day. The media will be informed about build up activities as and when they are due to take place.

2. OBJECTIVES

The overall objective of this year’s activities for WAD is to enhance service delivery in order for all Basotho to access services of HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. The aim is to further advocate for the protection of human rights, especially of people infected and affected by HIV and AIDS. It is also hoped that these activities will, in time, positively influence the behaviours of Basotho which in the long term halt new HIV infections. The Know Your Status campaign remains a priority for the country; the intention is to provide people with an understanding of the need to know one’s HIV status, thereby assisting to make the decision to be tested when they feel ready to do so.

It has thus been decided to strengthen advocacy in the period leading up to WAD through the variety of activities described in this document. The specific objectives of this year’s activities are:

• To create awareness and promote leadership commitment in the fight against HIV & AIDS

• To create HIV and AIDS awareness in communities.

• To ensure that youth between the ages of 15 and 24 correctly identify ways of preventing the sexual transmission of HIV and reject major misconceptions about HIV transmission.

• To strengthen the involvement of men as partners in the fight against HIV and AIDS.

3. PROPOSED ACTIVITIES

Several build up activities towards the commemoration day have been planned along the stated objectives, and these include:

• Designing and distribution of a special series of theme-related targeted IEC materials (posters, pamphlets, banners, etc)

• Providing carrier bags for support groups in the host district

• Holding media briefings

• A week of prayer by Lesotho Inter Religious AIDS Consortium (LIRAC)

• Empowerment of youth in the host district through debates, tertiary lectures and drama

• Community dialogues in the host district

• A rally highlighting issues relating to the WAD theme.

4. WORLD AIDS DAY PROGRAMME

The proposed WAD programme shall entail:

• World AIDS Day March;

• Commemorative Ceremony; which will include presentation/announcements of winners of Red Ribbon Media Award

• HIV Testing and Counselling: The HIV Testing and Counselling services shall be offered as part of the on-going Know Your Status campaign throughout the day.

5. CONCLUSION

The foregoing has outlined a set of activities aimed at ensuring a successful build up and final commemoration of the WAD. I edge all media houses and the general population to contribute in various ways to raising HIV and AIDS awareness and thereby encourage positive living. Those who will not manage to go to Thaba-Tseka should commemorate in their localities within villages, communities and organisations. Other nine districts will organise district commemorations after the national one.

Remember this year’s theme which focuses on Universal Access and Human Rights is about us, about communitioes, about people like you and me and our commitment to honour and respect the dignity ogf the vulnerable groups and those already living with HIV and AIDS.
I Thank You for your attention.


KHOTSO!!! PULA!!! NALA!!!