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World AIDS Day is commemorated on 1st December of every year. In 1988, the first World AIDS Day was first held, and it was the first-ever world health day. Even though it was found in 1984, more than 35 million people died due to HIV or AIDS. Hence it has been created to show our support to the individuals who are affected by AIDS.
“HIV does not make people dangerous to know, so that you can shake their stands and give them a hug: Heaven knows they need it.” – Princess Diana
History of World AIDS Day
In 1987, Thomas Netter and James W. Bunn (Public Information Officers at the World Health Organisation in Geneva, Switzerland) created World AIDS Day in the month of August. They shared their idea of AIDS Day with the director of the AIDS Global Programme, Dr. Jonathan Mann and then he approved World AIDS Day officially on 1st December of 1988. Then they decided to commemorate World AIDS Day on 1st December of every year. The AIDS Day was promoted by the UNAIDS (Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS) which started in the year 1996. They launched the World AIDS campaign in 1997 to focus on AIDS programs, better communications, disease prevention, and disease awareness learning for the whole year. It is one of the eight official world health campaigns marked by WHO, along with World Immunization Week, World Tuberculosis Day (March 24), World No Tobacco Day (May 31), World Malaria Day (April 25), World Blood Donor Day (June 14), World Health Day (April 07), and World Hepatitis Day (July 28).
About AIDS
The disease that reached out into the world changed, and changed the thought of it everything, from how we got our blood transmission to our sexual practices. AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome caused by HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). When the immune system of the human being is too weak to fight against the infections, HIV will slowly affect the T-helper cells otherwise called white blood cells. From there, they will make a copy of their cells themselves inside the blood. When a person is affected by HIV, they will find it hard to fight against upcoming diseases or infections. Nowadays, several scientific advantages have been made to treat AIDS. More than 6000 people have been treated every year in the UK, but people do not know the facts about how to protect themselves and others, and stigma and discrimination remain a reality for many people living with the condition.
“It is bad enough that peoples are dying of AIDS, but no one should die of Ignorance.” – Elizabeth Taylor
Themes of World AIDS Day
The themes of AIDS Day were created every year by the UNAIDS, WHO, and a large number of grassroots, national and international agencies involved in the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS.
1988 – Communication
1989 – Youth
1990 – Women and AIDS
1991 – Sharing the Challenge
1992 – Community Commitment
1993 – Act
1994 – AIDS and the Family
1995 – Shared Rights, Shared Responsibilities
1996 – One World. One Hope.
1997 – Children Living in a World with AIDS
1998 – Force for Change: World AIDS Campaign With Young People
1999 – Listen, Learn, Live: World AIDS Campaign with Children & Young People
2000 – AIDS: Men Make a Difference
2001 – I care. Do you?
2002 – Stigma and Discrimination
2003 – Stigma and Discrimination
2004 – Women, Girls, HIV and AIDS
2005 – Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise
2006 – Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise – Accountability
2007 – Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise – Leadership
2008 – Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise – Lead – Empower – Deliver
2009 – Universal Access and Human Rights
2010 – Universal Access and Human Rights
2011 – Getting to Zero
2012 – Together we will end AIDS
2013 – Zero Discrimination
2014 – Close the gap
2015 – On the fast track to end AIDS
2016 – Hands up for #HIVprevention
2017 – Right to health
2018 – Know your status
2019 – Communities make the difference
2020 – Ending the HIV/AIDS Epidemic: Resilience and Impact
2021 – End inequalities. End AIDS
2022 – Equalize
2023 – Let communities lead
Slogans for World AIDS Day
“Take the lead and pledge your support for World AIDS Day. December 1st. Stand up. Make a difference.“
“Say NO to AIDS. 1st December World AIDS Day!”
“Support AIDS Awareness. World AIDS Day December 1st.”
“We have to ensure that the end of AIDS means the end of AIDS for everybody.” – Representative Barbara Lee
“Take the lead and pledge your support for World AIDS Day. December 1st. Stand up. Make a difference.“
“Let’s us all pledge to create a future without AIDS. Be original. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve a lot of others, sends forth a tiny ripple of hope. Those ripples from a million different centres build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of discrimination and resistance.“
“Fight with Aids. Not people with AIDS. Support AIDS Awareness.” – World AIDS Day!
“Stop AIDS, Keep the Promise. Support AIDS Awareness.” World AIDS Day!
“Out of sight, out of mind. 40 million people are living with HIV/AIDS worldwide, and there is still no cure for AIDS.”
“Prevention is better than cure. Especially when something has no cure.“
Other Celebrations on December 1
December 1 is also celebrated as
How to Observe the Day
The best way to observe Aids Day is by creating awareness among the people about AIDS and HIV. The awareness can be created by conducting programs, by social media, etc., You can wear the Red Ribbon on AIDS day to spread awareness to the people, and you can give it to your friends, co-workers, and families. It’s vital that everyone understands the dangers of AIDS/HIV. Not just as a way to avoid contracting it, but to reduce the fear that surrounds this horrible condition. World AIDS Day is also a great opportunity to raise money for NAT (National AIDS Trust) and show your support for people living with HIV. World AIDS day will help people to remind that HIV is gone away, but there is a vital need to increase the money and to create awareness. Share your thoughts on social media about World AIDS Day by using the hashtag #WorldAIDSDay or #WAD2023.
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