The AIDS pandemic began more than 30 years ago and has killed up to 40 million people worldwide. 1st of December has been set aside by the United Nations to commemorate the World AIDS day. On this day, organizations honor the dead, celebrate its survivors and sensitize their communities on HIV and AIDS. Many celebrities have also joined the bandwagon.
Prince Harry and several celebrities like Nicole Scherzinger, Gemma Arterton, Paloma Faith and Ricky ‘The Hitman’ Hatton are releasing video statements on Monday that reveal a personal secret. These videos will show solidarity with HIV sufferers worldwide who face shame and stigma if they speak out. The campaign, which Prince Harry co-founded – aims to raise awareness of how eradicating this shame and stigma can save lives, empowering HIV sufferers to seek medical support and education about their condition, and preventing the virus from spreading.
Prince Harry
Prince Harry launched the campaign this morning on the FeelNoShame website, asking the public to share their own secrets via social media in exchange for his. He will then release a second video at 1.00pm sharing his secret, with the Twitter hashtag #FeelNoShame. Other celebrities’ secrets will be released throughout the day via the website.
Meanwhile, the Executive Director of the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), Michel Sidibe spoke to journalists ahead of the commemorations, saying that a lot still needs to be done to strenghten health systems. He said, “I want to say to the world that it's time for us to redouble our effort, to fast track our actions, to make sure that we quicken the pace. Together I am sure we can end AIDS epidemic by 2030.”
Mr Sidibé added that this day is an opportunity to reflect on the lives lost to Ebola given the outbreak's similarities to the beginning of the AIDS epidemic. He explained that Ebola sufferers were hiding, scared, and facing widespread stigma and discrimination of the type encountered by the first people to contract AIDS.