'Political statements must turn to action' - Youth PWA
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Opening Statement by Miss Yinka Jegede, a Young Person Living With
AIDS, at the Opening Ceremeony of the African Summit on HIV/AIDS, Tu-
berculosis and other Related Infectious Diseases - April 24, 2001
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The challenges of overcoming denial, stigma and discrimination con-
cerning HIV/AIDS and PLWHA have been recurring issues. Some of these
challenges are:
The pandemic cannot be overcome without the full and active partici-
pation of PLWHA. Our participation can only be assured by providing
sufficient care, treatment and protection of our rights so that we
have every reason to be public about our status. This will encourage
voluntary testing and counselling. The invisibility of PLWHA drives
the epidemic underground, creating an environment of denial and fear.
People who are HIV + should be encouraged to admit this fact coura-
geously especially if they are in social or political leadership po-
sitions.
Gross violations of rights of PLWHA are very rampant, and we expect
that the African governments should stem the trend. The recent case
of Mrs Georgina Ahamefule in Nigeria, tested without her knowledge,
her employment terminated thereafter and when she sought justice in
the court she was denied access to the court room because she is HIV
+. The case has since been struck out by the trial judge without lis-
tening to her testimony.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
PLWHA stands at the centre of any community efforts to overcome the
pandemic. Their rights must be respected in full and their leadership
potential recognised, in all facets of public life. We, PLWHA must be
involved in national policymaking, implementation, monitoring,
evaluation and our leadership potential should be recognised.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
PLWHA should break the silence, empower themselves, get the opportu-
nity to be empowered and have their capacity build.
Accessibility and affordability of Antiretroviral drugs and drugs for
the treatment of opportunistic infections should be the top priority
of governments in Africa.
Political commitment must be demonstrated at the highest level with
implementation mechanism and involvement of PLWHA. We should be seen
as equal partners and no more as victims and testimonial tools. We
need empathy not sympathy.
Finally, Ladies and Gentlemen,
We call upon African governments to translate political statements
into action. Greater involvement of PLWHA should not only be demon-
strated on paper but should be reflected in clear practical terms in
the implementation of national strategic plans.
Summit Media Centre
Media Contact:
Mr. Omololu Falobi
Tel: +234-9-234-5381, 234-5413, 234-5415
Fax: +234-9-234-5487
Summit websites:
http://www.fmh-abujasummit.org
http://www.oau-oua.org/afrsummit/index.htm
mailto:abjsummit@skannet.com
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