By Staff Reporter
WINDHOEK
The Ombetja Yehinga Organisation, the Voluntary Service Overseas and the Delegation of the European Commission will tomorrow at 13h00 launch a photographic exhibition in Europe House, titled “Still Life”.
The Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Richard Kamwi, will be the guest of honour, it was announced in a press statement.
Despite numerous awareness campaigns, HIV/AIDS is still linked to discrimination and stigmatization.
For many Namibians, testing HIV positive is ‘the end of the world’. Many are afraid to disclose their status because they fear the reaction of their families, friends and communities. It is time to reverse this image and present a positive image of living with the virus to the public.
“Still Life”, made up of photographs taken exclusively by people living with the HIV virus, demonstrates that we are all human beings and we should all support one another.
Testing HIV positive is associated with images of rejection (discrimination), pain, body degradation and loneliness.
Yet, some people who test HIV positive do still live a happy life.
We all know that testing HIV positive is a difficult personal challenge. However, reiterating those facts will not create enough opportunities for change and growth.
It is time to reverse this image and present a positive series of images depicting loving and happy moments in the lives of people living with HIV and/or AIDS to the public.