World AIDS Day is held on the 1st of December each year and is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died.
This day is also an opportunity for people to learn the facts about HIV and put their knowledge into action. If people understand how HIV is transmitted, how it can be prevented, and the reality of living with HIV today – people can use this knowledge to take care of their own health and the health of others, and ensure they treat everyone living with HIV fairly, and with respect and understanding.
On August 18 of HESC’s staff members attended an HIV/AIDS educational initiative run by Hlokomela, an outreach programme anchored in the Hoedspruit Agricultural and conservation work communities.
Topics covered:
HIV and AIDS
STI
HCT
TB
Contraceptives
Antiretroviral Treatment
Condom use and demonstration
HIV Stigma and Discrimination
Gender, Masculinity and HIV
Gender Socialization and Cultural norms
Sexual and Gender Based Violence
Workplace Policies on HIV
Our staff came back inspired and fired up by what they’d learnt at the workshop.
Today, all of us at the stand united and send our thoughts to all those who have been affected by this devastating epidemic.