Speech Commemorates World AIDS Day around Denmark

none 06 Дек 2007 – 14:12 (modified on 07 Дек 2007 – 8:00)

by Natalie Siniora

© AIDS-Fondet
Photo from the “Prejudice is one of the worst sequela to HIV” campaign.

Commemorate World AIDS Day in Denmark, AIDS-Fondet has made a tradition of writing a World AIDS Day speech that they then ask people around the country to read, in their workplaces, in their homes, in their churches, or at events on the day. This year AIDS-Fondet also helped organise other events, including an event called “‘Prejudice is one of the worst sequela to hiv’”.

You can see the English version of the AIDS-Fondet speech. To see those who signed up to read the speech please click here.

In 1981 an epidemic started, which has since developed into one of the worst catastrophes the world has ever seen.

Over 25 million have died, over 33 million are infected. If we continue to ignore these facts, the numbers will continue to set new records.

It is the first of December. It is World AIDS Day and I have chosen to speak on behalf of the children and adults whose voices are never heard.

Too many people suffering from HIV die before they turn 30. Rejected, alone, and hidden away because AIDS is a disease that only few will face up to.

There are countries where one out of every four women is HIV infected, and dies of AIDS while her children are still young. Where children must care for their dying parents, bury them, and are left to look after themselves.

There are countries where children live on the streets, rejected, and infected with HIV by the needle they share at the bottom of society.

There are countries where death is not even the worst problem, but the ignorance about the disease is; ignorance fuels the stigma, the discrimination, and the isolation of those who used to be our loved ones.

Imagine what a different world it would be, if women were able to protect themselves, and young girls and women were not forced to prostitution for survival, as it happens in so many poor countries.

Imagine if also women in the rural areas were provided access to the medicine that prevents mothers from infecting their unborn children.

Imagine if 15 million children did not have to live as orphans, but could grow up with parents, being cared for, and with an opportunity to go to
school.

Imagine if everyone had access to information, so that lack of knowledge would no longer be the biggest cause of HIV transmission.

Imagine the difference, if we, who know about HIV, spread the message, and force the world to open its eyes and take action in a compassionate way.

Then my speech has not been in vain. During the 2 minutes I have spoken, 10 people have been infected with HIV.

The day the world realises that HIV and AIDS are not only catastrophes for individual countries, but for the whole world, that day will make a
difference.

Thank you for listening.

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