Together We Can

International AIDS Candlelight Memorial (IACM) Observed in India

The Andhra Pradesh Legislators Forum on HIV and AIDS (APLFA), along with the Andhra Pradesh State AIDS Control Society (APSACS) through its District AIDS Prevention and Control Unit of East Godavari District and the Telugu Network of Positive People (TNP+) jointly observed the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial (IACM) at Kakinada on 17 May 2009. The Memorial was supported by UNAIDS and it marked the beginning of the IACM commemoration by around 250 communities across India.

A half-day Symposium was organised to discuss issues of stigma and discrimination, and welfare issues of PLHIV and most-at-risk population. The symposium was attended by members of 8 community-based organisations (CBOs) and a state-level sex workers’ coalition called SWETCHA, represented by its Secretary. The symposium was inaugurated by Mr. K. George Victor, Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) and was chaired by Dr. B. Kalidas, Retired Additional Project Director, APSACS. Coastal Network of Positive People (CNP+) played a major role in the organisation of the event and led the discussions during the symposium. The Candlelight Rally which followed the symposium was inaugurated by Mr. Gopala Krishna Dwivedi, District Collector of East Godavari.  

While speaking in the symposium, Mr. George Victor assured the political commitment and active involvement of the legislators through the APLFA, especially in working towards Universal Access and reduction of stigma and discrimination against PLHIV. Dr. Pawan Kumar, District Medical and Health Officer apprised the participants about the initiatives of the District AIDS Prevention and Control Unit (DAPCU) for decentralisation of the HIV response. He requested the community to make use of the platform and assured that, with proactive support of the district administration and with the leadership of the District Collector, any issue related to stigma, discrimination, welfare and support-related services can be addressed effectively through the DAPCU. About 400 members from PLHIV networks, NGOs and CBOs apart from counsellors, health care workers and out-reach workers attended the symposium and rally. An oath was taken by participants to work together for achieving universal access and providing non-stigmatising and non-discriminatory environment for PLHIV and most-at-risk populations.

Incidentally, the IACM this year coincided with the International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) observed on 17 May every year, and several organisations are observing IDAHO with the IACM. The UNAIDS Executive Director, Mr. Michel Sidibé has urged “all governments to take steps to eliminate stigma and discrimination faced by men who have sex with men, lesbians and transgender populations. They must also create social and legal environments that ensure respect for human rights and enable universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. The failure to respond effectively has allowed HIV to reach crisis levels in many communities of men who have sex with men and transgender people. Efforts to reverse this crisis must be evidence informed, grounded in human rights, and underpinned by the decriminalization of homosexuality.”

The IACM, which is the largest and oldest grass-roots level event for community mobilisation in the HIV response, is a programme of the Global Health Council coordinated globally through its volunteer coordinators.

Many of the commemorations are organised jointly by PLHIV networks, government agencies, NGOs and community organisations. Irrespective of the magnitude of the programme, it shows the solidarity epitomized by this year’s theme “Together We Can.”