Marking World AIDS Day

The first World AIDS Day was observed in 1988 with the intention of mobilising the world against the rapid spread of a deadly virus, HIV, that had no effective treatment or cure. Over three decades on, the largest-ever global disease response has achieved unprecedented results. Every year on 1 December communities from across the globe unite—to remember those who have died, to raise awareness of HIV, to combat stigma and make their response. In 2019 the theme is ‘Communities make the difference’, providing an important opportunity to acknowledge the indispensable roles that our communities have played and continue to play in their response to HIV and AIDS at international, national and local levels.

Communities contribute in a number of ways, ensuring that their response remains relevant and is grounded, keeping people at the centre and leaving no one behind. They do this through their leadership and advocacy. Communities come in all shapes and sizes and they include peer educators, networks of people who are living with or have been affected by HIV, counsellors, community health workers, door-to-door service providers, civil society organisations and grassroots activists, nurses and other health and social care providers.