In remembrance of those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS

The government’s theme for this year’s 21st Commemoration of World Aids Day is: “I am responsible, We are responsible, South Africa is takingresponsibility”. This year’s World AIDS Day sees the new dawn for the country’s collective effort in the response to HIV and AIDS.

The theme encourages everyone in South Africa from individuals, communities, organisations, businesses and government to take personal and collective responsibility to stop HIV/AIDS dead in its tracks by reducing new HIV infections, provide care and support to those living with HIV and to ensure access to treatment for all people in need. This is in line with the United Nation’s theme which is “Universal access to treatment, care and support”.

The LAC forum represents 35 stakeholders which all operate within our Municipality. Makana LAC is championed by the office of the Executive Mayor and has access to budget of the Special Programmes Unit. Makana Municipality appointed a full time official dedicated to issues of HIV/AIDS, the HIV/AIDS Co-ordinator who started early this year.

The LAC has six focus or priority areas namely:
1. Prevention
2. Treatment Care and Support
3. Orphans and Vulnerable Children
4. Monitoring and Research
5. Workplace
6. Resource Mobilization

On 25 November our Government launched the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children Campaign. This campaign takes place annually from the 25th November (International Day of No Violence against Women) to the 10th December (International Human Rights Day).

Since 1999 the South African Government has run a parallel campaign that includes issues relating to violence against children. This campaign focuses primarily on generating an increased awareness of the negative impact of violence on women and children as well as society as a whole. It also allows us to focus on the link between sexual violence and the spread of HIV.

The Campaign focuses on increasing awareness of the detrimental effect of violence on women, children and society as a whole. The year 2009 officially marks the ten year anniversary of the 16 Days of Activism Campaign in South Africa. Over the ten years, we have witnessed exponential growth of this Campaign, making it the second most known government event in South Africa, after the State of the Nation Address according to the GCIS Tracker Survey of 2008.