The Global AIDS Week of Action (GAWA) will be held from the 18th to the 24th of May 2008. The week provides an opportunity for HIV and AIDS activists to unite, generate political pressure and demand a stronger response from world leaders in the fight against HIV and AIDS.

The week of action will commence with the commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the International AIDS candlelight memorial in Lilongwe, Malawi. The event will be co-hosted by the Global Health Council and the Malawi Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS. This is the first time the event is being hosted in Africa. The theme for the memorial is ‘Never Give Up, Never Forget’.

Issues journalists can raise :-

• The Global AIDS Week of Action (GAWA) is a time to review progress made by leaders in combating HIV and AIDS. Journalists can do a stock take of the promises and commitments and assess progress made so far. Leaders should be made accountable and put to task for the commitments that have not yet been fulfilled.

• Highlight the successes and challenges that are hindering progress on Universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support.

• GAWA is also an opportunity to advocate for policy change or improvement on policies that affect the conditions of affected communities. For example, journalists can advocate for the implementation of policies on stigma and discrimination through the protection of rights of affected groups and individuals.

• Stigma and discrimination deprives people from accessing HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services. They can also advocate for policies that empower women so that they are able to protect themselves from HIV infection.

• The candlelight memorial is an opportunity to remember those who have passed on as a result of HIV and AIDS and to give hope to future generations. Journalists can raise awareness on the importance of the event and highlight that it is more than just a memorial but it presents an opportunity to educate people about HIV and AIDS.

SOURCES

1. www.globalaidsweek.org

2. www.globalhealth.org

3. www.candlelightmemorial.org