Competition launched to counter HIV/AIDS stigma
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JOHANNESBURG, 8 May (PLUSNEWS) - The International Federation of Red
Cross and Red Crescent Societies on Wednesday launched a regional
campaign to fight the stigma and discrimination surrounding the
HIV/AIDS pandemic.

Supported by the African Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS
(NAP+), the poster competition seeks to promote greater understanding
and compassion for people living with HIV/AIDS in East Africa.

Despite a number of significant achievements in HIV/AIDS research and
treatment, one of the main reasons for the continuous spread of the
disease was the stigma attached to it. Artists from the region are
invited to submit posters addressing this problem.

"The poster art is a simple means of expression accessible to every-
one, an art which provides the opportunity for both children or
adults, people living with HIV/AIDS or not, to come together and ex-
press their solidarity with the many people who are dying in darkness
and shame", Partick Couteau, the Federation's regional health advi-
sor, was quoted as saying.

Divided into three age groups (13 to 18, 19 to 25 and 26 to 30), the
competitors will present their work to a national jury. The winning
artist will be offered a full scholarship to participate in the 13th
International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections
in Nairobi, Kenya, from 21 to 26 September, 2003.

"I may sound as an old broken record when I say: we need to advocate
for voluntary counselling and testing, to lobby for access to treat-
ment and adequate legislation, to fight stigma and discrimination,
but I will keep on repeating these messages until they are heard and
more action is taken," the Federation's Dorothy Odhiambo said in a
statement.