|
Back to Index
Statement
on World Aids Day
Zimbabwe
National Students Union (ZINASU)
December 01, 2009
The Zimbabwe
National Students Union (ZINASU) joins the rest of the globe in
commemorating World Aids Day under the theme 'Universal Access and
Human Rights' on the 1st of December.
The protection
of human rights is fundamental in combating the global HIV and AIDS
epidemic.
Violations against
human rights fuel the spread of HIV. Recent estimates from the Joint
United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) indicate that approximately
1.6 million adults 15 years and older are living with HIV/AIDS.
This year's
World Aids Day came at a time when our health delivery system is
faced with a multi-faceted crisis, ranging from lack of drugs, and
lack of modern medical facilities and a shortage of qualified healthy
personnel, most of whom left the left the country in search of greener
pastures.
We commemorate
this important day mindful of the fact there are millions of lives
lost everyday due to the deadly pandemic and many continue to be
infected everyday.
We challenge
the government to:
- Increase
access to free antiretroviral drugs to those infected
- Increase
AIDS awareness, behavioral change campaigns in schools, tertiary
institutions and communities in the country.
We take this
opportunity to reiterate our commitment to the fight against HIV/Aids
and the achieving of an HIV free generation under our graduate alive
campaign. We further urge our young brothers and sisters especially
those in tertiary institutions to act responsibly and ensure that
they 'GRADUATE ALIVE.'
This can only
be achieved through abstaining from unprotected sex and use of safer
and precautionary measures that combat the spread of Aids. We realize
the importance of individuals taking responsibility for their lives
and therefore urge our members to get tested so that they know their
status and take the necessary precautions.
The fight against
HIV and Aids, however, cannot be separated from the fight against
poverty, hunger and unemployment.
We therefore
urge our government to effectively deal with the economic problems
and address the massive high levels of unemployment and eradicate
poverty as a means to fight HIV/AIDS. Take the lead. STOP AIDS.
Keep the promise.
Visit the ZINASU
fact
sheet
Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.
TOP
|
