Ahead of the 25th International AIDS Conference, which will be held in Munich in late July, the regional information campaign “Walls are not the answer! #PutPeopleFirstEECA” is launched. Сampaign is coordinated by the VirusOFF media platform and the Alliance for Public Health, with the support of UNAIDS EECA. The campaign and activities are carried out with the participation of regional networks and organizations.
The campaign aims to amplify the voices of the Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA) region and give communities, activists, public and international organizations, and human rights defenders working to end the AIDS epidemic a platform to speak out about what hinders the region from stopping the epidemic and why it is important to put people first.
“The #PutPeopleFirstEECA campaign is an important cooperation of regional organizations and community networks of EECA region in the information field ahead of the International #AIDS2024 Conference. #SoS_project 2.0 always supports such initiatives of the region. We believe that only through the joint efforts of all stakeholders and sustained international support we can overcome barriers such as restrictive laws, criminalization and stigmatization, and, make a significant progress in access to treatment and sustainability of HIV services. I encourage experts from the region to share their views and experiences on best approaches, support the campaign,” said Inna Gavrylova, Alliance for Public Health.
The EECA region faces significant barriers such as restrictive laws, criminalization, and stigmatization, which hinder the fight against HIV. To combat these challenges and prevent the building of new “walls” in the region, the concerted efforts of all stakeholders and sustained international support are needed.
According to UNAIDS, the HIV epidemic in Eastern Europe and Central Asia is the fastest-growing in the world. Since 2010, the number of new cases in the region has increased by 49%, and the number of deaths has risen by 46% over the same period. Additionally, only half of the patients with HIV-positive status are receiving therapy.
Ineffective laws, criminalization, gender inequality, and the consequences of the war in Ukraine are just a few of the reasons why countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia may not meet the goal of ending the epidemic by 2030.
What needs to be done to stop the spread of the infection? How can governments be convinced to fully fund prevention and support programs? And why should people be put first in the fight against HIV? These questions will be discussed at the AIDS 2024 International Conference, where the Eastern Europe and Central Asia region will be one of the priority topics. The information campaign is part of the #PutPeopleFirst initiative launched by the organizers of the 25th International AIDS Conference.
If you want to join, record your short video message answering the question “Why should people be put first in the fight against the HIV epidemic?” and post it on social media with the hashtag: #PutPeopleFirstEECA and #PutPeopleFirst. Your opinion could lead the way!
The #PutPeopleFirstEECA campaign is coordinated by the VirusOFF media platform and the Alliance for Public Health, with the support of UNAIDS EECA. The campaign and activities are carried out with the participation of regional networks and organizations: ECOM, ITPC EECA, EHRA, Teenergizer, EWNA, ENPUD, REG, EKPC, AFEW, HAC, 100% Life, Alliance Consultancy, Life4me+, Eurasian Movement for the Rights to Health in Prisons, SoS_project 2.0, #BaltHUB and others.
Follow the pages of the VirusOFF media platform and its partners on social media to not miss updates within the campaign and the launch of the special EECA page for AIDS 2024.
Learn more about Eastern Europe and Central Asia at AIDS 2024 by visiting aids2024.virusoff.info, a special web page dedicated to EECA and AIDS 2024 on the online regional platform Virus OFF.