World AIDS Day is held on the 1st of December each year and is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died.
Today is also an opportunity for you to learn the facts about HIV and put your knowledge into action. If you understand how HIV is transmitted, how it can be prevented, and the reality of living with HIV today – you can use this knowledge to take care of your own health and the health of others, and ensure you treat everyone living with HIV fairly, and with respect and understanding.
In August 18 of HESC’s staff members attended an HIV/AIDS educational initiative run by Hlokomela, an outreach programme anchored in the Hoedspruit Agricultural and Conservation communities.
Topics covered:
- HIV and AIDS
- STI
- HCT
- TB
- Contraceptives
- Antiretroviral Treatment
- Condom use and demonstration
- HIV Stigma and Discrimination
- Gender, Masculinity and HIV
- Gender Socialization and Cultural norms
- Sexual and Gender Based Violence
- Workplace Policies on HIV
Our staff came back inspired and fired up by what they’d learnt at the workshop.
Today, all of us at the HESC stand united and send our thoughts to all those who have been affected by this devastating epidemic.