It IS in Mouila in the capital of Ngounié that the official ceremony of the 34th edition of the World Day for the Fight against HIV/AIDS (WDJ) was held every December 1st. In the presence of local and UN authorities, it was recalled that fighting against inequalities due to the disease remains an emergency. As long as 2022, the inequalities that emanate from it remain persistent.
Also, the annual theme “Equalize” brings back the spotlight on the cases of cultural, legal, economic, social inequalities (discrimination and stigmatization) of which people living with HIV can be victims. All things that remind us how much it is important to act. For Emmanuel Efame Eya, strategic information adviser and acting director of UNAIDS, governments must now push the commitment to action. “They must remove laws, regulations and practices discrimination in order to guarantee equal opportunities and reduce inequalities,” he said. And to reiterate the availability of the agencies of the United Nations system in Gabon to continue their support for the government’s efforts in the response to HIV, in particular in awareness-raising and treatment actions to further reduce the stress of the populations in general and more particularly people living with HIV.
Beyond the speeches, free screening sites were associated with the celebration, as well as awareness sessions in both French and the vernacular. Not to mention the distribution of condoms.
Line R. ALOMO
Libreville/Gabon