This is the second time that UNAIDS has announced a 'zero discrimination' campaign with Suu Kyi at the head. No details are given. We are not told what the activities to decrease discrimination are. We are not told if the campaign is only for people living with HIV or for key populations as well. We are only told that it will involve butterflies, opening up, reaching out, and joining the conversation. Pretty, but useless.
In the absence of a social contract for inclusion, laws and codes and their enforcement are a way to start to decreasing discrimination. But I can't find anything about these in the campaign.
Anyone think it is ironic that Suu Kyi is at the head of this campaign given her silence and inaction on discrimination against the Rohingya?
Jamie
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UNAIDS has a vision of zero new #HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero #AIDS-related deaths. Without achieving zero #discrimination it will be impossible to realize zero new HIV infections or zero AIDS-related deaths.
This is why, working with Nobel Peace Prize winner and UNAIDS Global Advocate for Zero Discrimination Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, UNAIDS launched the #zerodiscrimination campaign in December 2013. The campaign calls for transformation to achieve zero discrimination and adopts the butterfly as the transformative symbol for zero discrimination.
This next phase of the campaign is the lead up to the very first Zero Discrimination Day which will be celebrated annually on 1 March. Everyone can show their commitment to zero discrimination by sending in a photograph of yourselves with a butterfly sign - one of ours or even make your own.
Visit the Zero Discrimination page for more info: https://www.facebook.com/zerodiscrimination
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UNAIDS and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi launch #zerodiscrimination campaign in Australia
New international day for Zero Discrimination announced
Melbourne, 1 December 2013—On the occasion of World AIDS Day 2013, the United Nations Joint Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and Nobel Peace Prize Winner and UNAIDS Global Advocate for Zero Discrimination Daw Aung San Suu Kyi are launching the #zerodiscrimination campaign calling for a global transformation. The initiative will launch the new Zero Discrimination Day on 1 March 2014, adopting the butterfly as the transformative symbol for zero discrimination.
“I believe in a world where everyone can flower and blossom. We can all make a difference by reaching out and letting people lead a life of dignity irrespective of who they are,” said Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. “I invite everyone to Open up, Reach out and end discrimination.”
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé announced the Zero Discrimination campaign during a World AIDS Day event in Melbourne, Australia.
“As communities and individuals we must continue to take action to reduce transmission of HIV and ensure that people living with HIV can participate fully in the life of the community, free from stigma and discrimination,” said Australia's Minister for Health, the Hon Peter Dutton.
“We recognize that getting to zero new HIV infections and zero AIDS-related deaths will be impossible without striving towards zero discrimination,” said Mr Sidibé. “On Zero Discrimination Day, we will celebrate the rights of everyone to live a full and productive life with dignity”.
Discrimination can affect people in many ways in their lives.
For the AIDS response, discrimination towards people living with HIV and key populations at higher risk of HIV is a major obstacle to expanding access to HIV services. Country surveys found that 1 in 7 people living with HIV have reportedly been denied access to healthcare and more than 1 in 10 people living with HIV have been refused employment because of their HIV status.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has taped a public service announcement (PSA) with the message “Open up, Reach out. Together we can reach zero discrimination.” Through the PSA, a campaign web page and social media outreach, the campaign asks people around the world to join the conversation and take action.
The initial phase of the initiative will continue until December 10 – International Human Rights Day and will then build momentum in the month leading up to the new Zero Discrimination Day.
http://www.unaids.org/en/resources/presscentre/pressreleaseandstatementarchive/2013/december/20131201zerodiscrimination/
