Global AIDS Week of Action – 20-26th May 2007

[Guest guest]

Global AIDS Week of Action – 20-26th May 2007

One week. One voice

Want to have a say in how AIDS in your world will be shaped over the

next five years?

Join a groundswell of civil society voices from across the world

during the week of 20-26 May to demand a stronger response, more

accountability and more resources in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

The Global AIDS Week of Action is the glue for civil society to stand

together, generate political pressure and influence decision-makers

making choices that affect our lives.

Here's how: There is no global coordinating body, no chief

organiser. You choose what action, how and where. And if you come up

with bright ideas that work, share them with friends and colleagues

in other countries.

Here's a sample of choices: Expose what AIDS promises haven't been

kept, make a noise about what you think are priority AIDS issues in

your country. Ensure that your government delegation understands the

concerns and needs of people living with HIV, knows who the

marginalised affected groups are and has a list of the most urgent

needs of frontline health workers

The success of the Global AIDS Week of Action depends entirely on

committed people, networks and organisations that recognise the

strategic opportunity the week offers. It depends on how we link up

internationally while setting in motion our own national plans and

advocacy activities during the 20-26th May 2007.

Is the world doing enough to stop AIDS?

The Global AIDS Week of Action 2007 is a great opportunity for

activists and people living with the virus in India and around the

globe to demand a stronger response, greater accountability and more

resources for the fight against HIV and AIDS.

The week also coincides with the run up to the meeting of the leaders

of world's richest nations, meaning it is an opportunity to demand

accountability from G8 countries to fund the global fight against HIV

and AIDS.

WHY: Last year, activists from 30 countries took coordinated action

during the first ever Global AIDS Week of Action. It was the defining

mobilisation before world leaders reported back to the UN on the

progress they had made to meet their 2001 commitment on HIV and AIDS.

So while in New York our governments boasted of the small gains made,

in cities from Abuja to Phnom Penh and Delhi to Lilongwe citizens

reminded them of the big losses.

The losses are stark: AIDS kills 8000 people each day and 3 out of 4

HIV positive people still lack access to treatment. While women make

up almost 50% of those living with HIV, current AIDS responses do not

tackle the violation of women's rights – a key driver of the

pandemic.

More than 5 million people are living with HIV and AIDS in India.

According to the latest National Family Health Survey, only 57% of

women and 80% of men in India have ever heard of AIDS. Also, only 35%

of women and 68% of men know that habitual condom use can lessen the

chances of contracting the infection.

In 2005 the world leaders made another landmark promise

on " developing and implementing a package for HIV prevention,

treatment and care with the aim of coming as close as possible to the

goal of universal access to treatment by 2010 for all those who need

it " .

To honour this ambitious promise and stop the needless deaths of

women, men and children, our governments have to set and meet

ambitious targets for access to treatment as well as prevention.

Multinational drug companies must stop putting profits before people.

And rich nations such as the G8 must back their warm words on AIDS

with real funds.

WHAT: To mark the Global AIDS Week of Action in India, ActionAid and

partner organisations have planned a wide range of events, including

marches, candlelight vigils, and public hearings with

Parliamentarians in major cities across the country. Hundreds are

expected to attend these events in solidarity with those living with

the virus, and also hand over memorandums of demands to government

authorities.

WHEN: The Global AIDS Week of Action from 20-26th May 2007 is an

opportunity for activists around the world to stand together,

generate political pressure and demand action from our leaders.

The week starts with the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Day on 20 May –

a Sunday when the world recognizes and remembers those who have died of AIDS.

The week of action is also just days before the club of rich nations (G8) meet

in Germany and discuss the universal access goal – let them know that the world

is watching to see if they put money where their mouth is.