To commemorate World AIDS Day, a candlelight vigil took place at High School Kohima this evening, organized by the Kohima Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (KNP+) and the District AIDS Prevention and Control Unit (DAPCU) Kohima. The event, based on the theme “Let Communities Lead,” aimed to show solidarity with the global observance.
During her brief address, Sangkai, KNP+ Vice President remarked on the day’s significance as a global demonstration of support for people living with HIV and remembrance for those lost to AIDS-related illnesses. She emphasized the annual thematic focus of World AIDS Day, with this year’s theme being “Let Communities Lead.”
“This World AIDS is more than a celebration of the achievements of communities; it is a call to action to enable and support communities in their leadership roles. This day will highlight that to unleash the full potential of community leadership to enable the end of AIDS,” said Sangkai.
Communities leadership roles need to be made core in all HIV plans and programmes and in their formulation, budgeting, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. “Nothing about us without us.”
Sangkai stressed that communities’ leadership roles need to be fully and reliably funded to enable the required scale up, and be properly supported and remunerated. “Not ending AIDS is more expensive than ending it,” she remarked.
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The need to remove barriers to communities’ leadership roles, enabling regulatory environment is needed which facilitates communities’ role in provision of HIV services, ensuring civil society space, and protecting the human rights of all, including of marginalised communities, to advance the global HIV response, was highlighted. “Remove laws that harm, create laws that empower,” stated Sangkai.
She also highlighted that World AIDs Day remains as relevant today as it has always been, reminding people and governments that HIV has not gone away. “There is still a critical need for increased funding for the AIDS response, to increase awareness of the impact of HIV on people’s lives, to end stigma and discrimination and to improve the quality of life of peopie living with HIV,” she added.
Aseno Metha delivered a special performance, while the program was presided over by Mushem KNP+ Joint Secretary. The closing prayer was offered by Bendangsashi Walling, Associate Pastor of Kohima Ao Baptist Church.
