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Commonwealth Secretariat press release

Fighting AIDS stigma is everyone’s responsibility, says Commonwealth Secretary-General

28 November 2002

In his message to mark the United Nations World AIDS Day on 1 December, Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon said:

By the time you finish reading this message, twenty people globally will have become infected with HIV/AIDS and twelve will have died from it.

Last year alone, the AIDS pandemic claimed more than 3 million lives and 5 million people - two-thirds of whom are Commonwealth citizens - became infected. More than 60% of infected people are under 30 years old and more than 50% are women. Over 26 million have died since the beginning of the pandemic, 21 years ago. These numbers are more than the mind can easily absorb. This is why, on World AIDS Day, we should also remember the human face behind the figures and the personal tragedies caused by AIDS throughout the world.

As we remember the millions who died, we should also recognise that the best way to honour their memory is to redouble our efforts in the fight against AIDS. But time is running out. The window of opportunity for controlling the pandemic is rapidly closing. The United Nations estimates that the battle against AIDS has a price tag of US$10 billion a year. Yet the world has paid only US$3 billion this year. Controlling HIV/AIDS and its effects on developing economies will be the greatest challenge in meeting the Millennium Development Goals.

Four years ago, Commonwealth Heads of Government declared HIV/AIDS a global emergency. Today, more than ever, urgent action is needed. And effective action starts with education.

Some education campaigns have proved successful. For example, Uganda has reduced its HIV prevalence rates from 14% in the early 1990s to around 8% last year. Initiatives which increase awareness of HIV/AIDS and how it is contracted can have a positive impact. For instance, the Commonwealth runs a 'Young Ambassadors of Positive Living' programme which enables young people living with HIV to share their experience and provide advice and counselling to their peers.

Combating AIDS also means combating the stigma and discrimination associated with it which put an additional burden on sufferers. Not only do they have to fight a condition for which there is no known cure, they also have to fight rejection and exclusion, often from their own families.

Stigma and discrimination remain an immense barrier to effectively fighting AIDS. Research has shown that in every country where there has been success in dealing with the epidemic, AIDS has been destigmatised. As Dr Peter Piot, Executive Director of the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS, has said, "combating stigma is essential to break the vicious cycle that links AIDS to poverty, racism and gender inequality."

Each one of us has a personal responsibility in combating this stigma. We must all make sure that those infected with the virus feel they remain valued members of society and that they can actively contribute to their communities on an equal footing with others.

I would therefore urge governments and policy-makers to examine existing programmes and practices and ensure that they are living up to their commitment to Commonwealth values and principles. I also call on businesses to review their policies and practices in order to ensure that persons with HIV/AIDS are not unfairly treated, discriminated against or stigmatised.
Finally, we must, of course, recognise the invaluable work achieved by the many civil society organisations which provide care and support to those infected with the virus as well as to their families.

When 27 year old Mathew Miti from Zambia learned that he was HIV positive and accepted to do a television programme about it, he faced rejection from his friends and colleagues. But his father said to him: "I did not know that you could be so brave, my son. I knew that you were HIV positive before you knew it. You have to be strong with the community out there. Most people you think love you will now shun you."

These words encouraged Mathew to join an outreach team responsible for disseminating information about AIDS and to become a 'Young Ambassador for Positive Living'. They should also inspire us to fight the AIDS stigma, acknowledge the human dignity of all HIV/AIDS sufferers and provide them with the support they need and with opportunities to achieve their full potential as human beings.


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