AIDS & DISABILITY

Thanks to my participation in a recent AIESEC conference in India (some stories about my experience there coming soon) I had the opportunity be be aware and experience in a more direct way two of the most worked out developmental issues of today's world: HIV/AIDS and Disability. Since being aware of issues is not only about doing it in certain dates, it's never late to hopefully through this post also bring a small bite of awareness to people.

In terms of HIV/AIDS besides wearing the red ribbon (which let's face it is the easiest and therefore the only thing that people normally do) I had the chance to engage with externals leaders of NGOs that were giving presentations around the issue ... more than that, I had the amazing chance to have a bunch of 70 AIESEC members to discuss about that and hold each other accountable for making things happen. Some highlights about AIDS stigma in India that got stucked in my head are:

1. Places where rejection and discrimation happens the most is in health centers (clinics, hospitals) ...

2. Second place where rejection happens the most is the workplace

3. Third place is family itself. The person in an india family that rejects the most are mothers in law. Specially these ones blame wifes for the disease of their son, since wifes were not "attractive or smart" enough, and this was the cause for their son to look for other women outside the house.

4. Some women in India feel shy to admit that they know how to use a preservative and spread the word, or feel shy to talk about it with their partners (and even housband) just because he might think that this means that she "used it" already. 5. Truck drivers (also called "highway killers" in some reports and documentals) are one of the biggest. Here is a good (even if a bit old) article about that reality

These facts were results of a focus group done by this NGO focused on HIV/AIDS awareness in India, among other studies.

In terms of Disability, we had the chance again, thanks to the AIESEC conference, to visit NGOs, almost all of them working with disabled children. I was at Umang, where besides interacting for some time with the children, we had a great conversation with the founder who mad us aware about facts, hopes and fears of the disbility reality.being one of my sisters autist, this is a topic that particularly ctaches my attention, specially when we analyze the problematic of disabled children that never get access to real treatment and enjoy therefore of social inclusion, because of extreme poverty.

If you want to read more about these two issues, the following two pages are a good start. Happy reading ...

WORLD AIDS DAY - December 1st

Around forty million people are living with HIV throughout the world - and that number increases in every region every day. Ignorance and prejudice are fuelling the spread of a preventable disease. World AIDS Day, 1 December is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV and AIDS. This year, it's up to you, me and us to stop the spread of HIV and end prejudice. This starts by taking action.

You: Wear a red ribbon

Me: Talk to people

Us: Get involved in events

WORLD DISABILITY DAY - December 3rd

International Day of People with a Disability, as designated by the United Nations (UN), is a celebration of the abilities of people with a disability all over the world. In 1976, the UN General Assembly proclaimed 1981 as the International Year of Disabled Persons (IYDP). It called for a plan of action at the national, regional and international levels that emphasised equality of opportunities, rehabilitation and prevention of disabilities. Other objectives included increasing public awareness; understanding and acceptance of people with a disability; and encouraging people with a disability to form organisations through which they can express their views and promote action to improve their situation