Move forth by creating a chain against Ignorance about HIV/AIDS.

Move forth by creating a chain against Ignorance about HIV/AIDS and STDs.
Written by: KHADIJAH SHAH (RAYS OF DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION)

Sargodha,Pakistan: The severe impact of the AIDS' pandemic on families, communities and economies is commonly acknowledged by scientists, the media and politicians the world over. However, more than 25 years later the losses remain stark: AIDS continues to kill almost 6000 people each day and more than 2 out of 3 HIV positive people still lack access to treatment. During 2007 some 2.5 million people became newly infected with the virus. Around half of all people who become infected with HIVAIDS do so before they are 25 and are killed by HIV/AIDS before they are 35.

While women make up an increasing proportion of those living with HIV/AIDA and bear a greater burden of care, current HIV/AIDS responses do not tackle the violation of women’s rights - a key driver of the pandemic.

The Global Aids Week of Action was celebrated all over the world by NGOs. In Pakistan it was warmly celebrated. In Sargodha, on 24-05-08, venue Red Light Area Chungi No: 12, Sargodha, the event took place and candles were lit in the remembrance of those who passed away due to this disease.

The event of Aids Week of Action was organized by Apacha Pakistan, Action Aid, SHEED Society Sargodha, Youth Group of Red Light Area Sargodha and the Rays of Development Organization. In this event the Chief Guest was the Union Nazim Riyasat Sikander Hayat. Khalid Gujar of SHEED org gave a start to the function. He enlightened that this specific Week is being celebrated all over the world as well as in many divisions of Pakistan. He proceeded that we should be concerned with those who are tormented from this fatal disease, Aids, and we should save other people from becoming a component of this high risk disease.

SHEED Org is running the project of Netherlands Embassy and they facilitate them in doing so. They have a group who are putting their effort in behavior counseling of female sex workers. They are also creating awareness in female members of society, about HIV/AIDS and STD (sexually transmitted disease).

With the help of Netherlands Embassy they have thought of opening a school in Red Light Area. It will not be a common school as it will be a part of Multi Media just like Hi Tec, which will endow its students with the awareness of such diseases so that our coming generations should have proper defense against them. It is said that agitation and campaigning can play an important role in this school. It was announced in the function that the Rays of Development Org will run this school. It inauguration will take place in July and the classes will set in motion from Prep and Nursery.

From the Rays of Development Org, the members were Imran Mazher, Nadeem Samuel and Umm-e-Rubab, SHEED Org’s activist Khalid Gujar, Youth Group of Red Light Area’s Chairman, Safdar Hussain and in public from 50-60 people of Red Light Area attended the function. The Union Nazim and the members of Rays of Development one by one lit candles. The Union Nazim then ended the programme giving a concluding speech. He thanked all the NGOs who participated in this great cause. He assured them that the local government will cooperate with them and facilitate them in each and every step. He said that such programmes should be held to assist those who are afflicted due to lack of knowledge and awareness.

Report Recommended by: Ferhan Mazher (Chairman of Rays Of Development).