1 December 2024
In commemoration of World AIDS Day 2024, the HIV/TB Agency, Information and Services (AIS) Activity organized an awareness campaign about HIV/AIDS on December 1, 2024. Collaborating with local pharmaceutical companies and community support organizations across Myanmar, including Yangon, Mandalay, Sagaing, Shan and Kachin, the campaign embraced this year’s theme: “Take the Rights Path.” The theme highlights protecting human rights as a foundation of the global HIV response.
“It’s not shameful to be HIV positive. Discrimination only makes it worse for HIV patients.”
AIS partnered with Shwe Ohh pharmacies, DKT Myanmar and Community Support Organizations to hold on-site activities for World AIDS Day. AIS members and community volunteers wearing shirts branded with the World AIDS Day theme and AIS branding, distributed condoms along with IEC materials like condom wallet, key chain, information pamphlets and HIV self-test kits that aimed to raise awareness, encourage safe practices, and promote early detection of HIV.
A community member reflected, “If someone is found HIV positive, we must support them in accessing early care and treatment, recognizing health as a basic human right and everyone as equal.”
Discrimination remains a major challenge to achieve an effective HIV response in Myanmar. Through direct community engagement, the AIS campaign worked to help normalize the conversations around HIV and reduce stigma. One participant commented, “It’s not shameful to be HIV positive. Discrimination only makes it worse for HIV patients.”
AIS partners conducted the awareness raising campaign for key populations in the project locations of Tamu-India border, further demonstrating their commitment to upholding human rights and reaching marginalized communities. A community volunteer shared, “We should do more awareness-raising sessions like today to reduce discrimination and normalize the HIV-positive status like COVID-19 nowadays.”
This year’s theme, “Take the Rights Path,” calls on leaders and communities to protect human rights, support marginalized groups, and tackle challenges. AIS’s World AIDS Day campaign reinforced these messages by promoting awareness, reducing stigma, and scaling up HIV services to achieve the 95-95-95 goals: prevention, testing, and treatment. With generous support from PEPFAR and USAID, AIS remains dedicated to making a meaningful difference.
Together, we can take the rights path and work toward a future free from AIDS.
