By Surihe Gaomas
WINDHOEK
Namibians joined the rest of the world to commemorate World’s AIDS Day under the theme “Leadership is being there to Care” on Saturday December 1.
A number of events were held by various companies and organisations to remember those infected and affected by the virus.
One touching event was a candlelight vigil at Parliament Gardens on Friday evening where some parliamentarians together with the public lit candles in remembrance of those who have passed away due to AIDS.
This is the first event of this kind to be organised by Parliament, specifically by the Parliamentarians for Women’s Health Project.
In her welcoming speech, MP Elma Dienda said it is important that all Namibians renew their fight against the devastating pandemic.
“Let us reflect on those who left us and pray for them. We should also renew our commitment in the fight against this pandemic which is having serious consequences on our families in particular and our nation in general,” said Dienda.
She added that the fact that Members of Parliament and the general public have converged for this vigil is testimony that HIV/AIDS is a shared responsibility.
Parliamentarians for Women’s Health is a project funded by the Bill and the Melinda Gates Foundation in which a consortium of five international organisations work with selected parliamentarians in Namibia, Botswana, Kenya and Tanzania to bolster women’s and girl’s access to health services, including HIV and AIDS treatment, prevention and care.
World AIDS Day is commemorated 1st of December every year. This year’s commemoration marks the 20th such event globally since the very first World AIDS Day held in 1988.
The Ministry of Works Transport and Communication commemorated the day on Friday.
Speaking on behalf of the ministry’s permanent secretary, Julius Ngwedha said over the past years the ministry has spent a lot of money during its ongoing HIV/AIDS campaigns.
With great emphasis placed on prevention, the key message is that it is now time to change the focus from prevention to behavioural change.
“Presently, our fellow Namibians are dying of HIV/AIDS on a daily basis and the time has come that we as Namibians have to start changing our behaviour… If we do not start to change our sexual behaviour, all of us will contract the virus one or other time,” said Ngwedha.
Namibia’s HIV/Aids prevalence rate currently stands at 19,9 percent, yet this pandemic still remains the leading cause of death in the country since 1997.
Factors that fuel the spread of HIV are reported to be widespread alcohol and drug abuse, which leads to unprotected sex; tradition and some cultural practices that allow men to have more than two sexual partners; poverty as well as stigma and discrimination.
Speakers at various events noted that World Aids Day should not be seen as merely another public holiday, but a day on which the public should collectively remember those who died, as well as those living positively with the virus today.
Air Namibia organised a fun-filled day for staff members by encouraging them to undergo an “Anti-Body Rapid HIV Test” on the day. This was being done to help determine the HIV prevalence rate in the company.
As a gesture to demonstrate care and support for those infected and affected by HIV/Aids, a crowd of about 500 people dressed in red T-shirts and caps on Friday participated in a march to form a giant red ribbon symbolising HIV/Aids awareness.
The unique initiative organised by the City of Windhoek and other stakeholders strived to show support for those Namibians living positively with the virus as well as for those who are ill, those who have died, those who have lost friends, family members or loved ones to AIDS and for those who care for and support those people directly affected by the pandemic.
Speaking at the occasion, city Mayor Matheus Shikongo said the day serves as a wake-up call especially for those in leadership to re-visit their actions in terms of the challenges posed by the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
“The theme leadership highlights the need for innovation, vision and perseverance in the fight against HIV/AIDS. For this reason, the 2007 World AIDS Day campaign calls on all sectors of society ranging from family units, communities, the public and corporate sectors, to civil society organizations – rather than just Government,” said Shikongo.
Namibia is among the countries with the highest rates of HIV infection in the world and the epidemic is affecting every sector of society.