Sharon Chigeza
MUTARE- The Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, unveiled the theme and logo for the 2024-2025 World AIDS Day Campaign in Rusape this morning.
The event, attended by health officials, community leaders, and representatives from various organisations, aimed to raise awareness and mobilise support in the ongoing battle against HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe.
During his address, Minister Mugadza said there was a necessity of reaching out to everyone living with HIV and those at risk of infection.
“Ending AIDS requires that we reach and engage everyone who is living with and at the risk of getting infected with HIV. That probably speaks about all of us here today and away,” he stated, highlighting the collective responsibility in addressing this public health challenge.
The theme for this year’s campaign, “My Health, My Rights – Our Responsibility,” resonates with the core message of human rights advocacy in the fight against AIDS. Mugadza articulated the urgency of promoting inclusion and eradicating stigma associated with HIV/AIDS.
He stressed that the campaign calls on both policymakers and citizens to confront the inequalities that obstruct progress in ending the epidemic.
“Its the duty of every individual to access health services and everyone’s responsibility to ensure that there is an enabling environment for people to access health services. As a country we are having challenges with pediatric HIV, so it is our duty ladies and gentlemen that we put the rights of our children first and responsibility to access health services for our children,” he said, underscoring that access to health services is a fundamental right for all individuals.
The logo unveiled at the event visually represents the campaign’s commitment to health and human rights.
“The Red Ribbon is the international symbol of HIV and AIDS awareness. It stands for care and concern. It is being worn by increasing numbers of people around the world to demonstrate their care and concern about HIV and AIDS – for those who are living with HIV, for those who are ill, for those who have died and for those who care for and support those directly affected. The Zimbabwe Map in the Campaign logo shows that the campaign message is for Zimbabwe.The green square emphasizes the importance of life. After having done everything in the right way at the right time we will be able to give our people more life,” he said.
Minister Mugadza explained that the logo serves as a reminder of the shared responsibility to create an inclusive environment where everyone can access the health services they need without fear of discrimination.
Speaking at the same occasion, National Aids Council, Manicaland Provincial manager, Artwell Shiridzinomwa said the world AIDS day commemorations in Zimbabwe are led by NAC with the objectives of raising and strengthening awareness.
“In Zimbabwe the world AIDS Day Campaigns and commemorations are held under the leadership and coordination of the National AIDS Council The world AIDS commemorations have four specific objectives which are mainly to, raise and strengthen HIV and AIDS awareness, call for action and commitment to HIV and AIDS national response, take stock of progress made in the national response to HIV and AIDS and remember the people who have passed on due to HIV and AIDS,” he said.
He added that all the World AIDS Day campaigns focus on a specific theme, chosen following consultations with UNAIDS, WHO and a large number of grassroots, national and international agencies involved in the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS.
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