World AIDS Week 2008

Last November was marked by the commemoration of the 2008 World AIDS Week in Luderitz. Members of the Constituency AIDS Coordinating Committee (CACOC), which includes various stakeholders from the local hospital, ministries, Red Cross, police, businesses, and support groups, began meeting weeks in advance to plan the events which took place from November 24 – 29. As the opening day of World AIDS Week approached, CACOC members pulled together and worked frantically to deliver an exceptional programme.

It was decided that this year’s the theme should be “Prevention” as preventing new HIV infections is Namibia’s best bet in fighting the epidemic. This issue is vital to the community because, while Namibia’s rate of HIV infection was 19.9% in 2006, the rate for Luderitz was actually higher at 22.5%. As unprotected sex accounts for the vast majority of infections, the events of this year’s World AIDS Awareness Week continuously promoted the use of condoms while discouraging the use of alcohol (due to its connection with unsafe sex.)

The Week opened on Monday, November 24th, at the Luderitz State Clinic with remarks from Hon. Cllr. D. Schoombe and a speech on prevention by Dr. D. Nkalamo. After which a group of prisoners, from Lüderitz Prison, gave an enjoyable, thought provoking, and well received drama about how the abuse of alcohol can lead to unsafe sex and contracting HIV. The day ended with the message of condom use being further stressed by a condom demonstration given by the Luderitz HIV/ AIDS Support and Counselling Group.

The next few days included a video screening at the Luderitz Youth Centre, a memorial service attended by the local churches, and a debate between volunteers at the Benguela Hall. This last event was interesting as it focused on which message is the most successful in preventing new HIV infections: abstinence until marriage or consistent condom use. The two opposing groups argued back and forth on the effectiveness of condoms and whether the average person will actually remain abstinent until marriage. In the end both the teams did an excellent job, making the judges’ decision very difficult.

On the Friday a Fun Day was held at the Waterfront, including volleyball matches, a jumping castle, and a performance by local artists, such as Superman. While this event did not attract as large a crowd as was hoped, it was effective in finding a fun way of raising awareness about HIV and AIDS.

The last day of the 2008 World AIDS Awareness Week began on Saturday the 29th as Navy officers led members of CACOC on a march through Luderitz. Proudly displaying a banner with such slogans as “It’s all about respect,” “Safe sex saves lives,” “Living and loving positively,” and “Together we can make it,” the marchers carried on through the town, singing songs of HIV prevention. One by one Buchters came out of their homes and businesses to watch, and hopefully each one of them stopped to reflect upon what they were doing to fight the pandemic. The march ended at Benguela Hall and the day carried on with speeches and condom demonstrations to further cement the message of prevention. As the day ended, it was announced that the latest report on Namibia’s HIV infection rate showed that it dropped to 17.8%, leaving the crowd in high hopes. The Buchters came together to put on this great event, and now one can only hope that the Bucht will heed the advice and protect itself against HIV/ AIDS. It is in our hands.

• Monday, 9am at the ARV clinic: opening day, speech on prevention, demonstration of condom usage, drama by prisoners from Lüderitz Prison

• Tuesday, 3pm, at the Youth, Arts and Cultural Centre: video screening on prevention of HIV/AIDS

• Wednesday, 2pm, at the Benguela Community Centre: debate with support groups on prevention methods

• Thursday, 7pm, at the Benguela Community Centre: memorial service with church groups

• Friday, 11am, at the Waterfront: fun day with volleyball matches, jumping castle, concert featuring local artists

• Saturday, 8am, Hospital -> Benguela Community Centre: Official ending day of the week, march from hospital to Benguela centre, speeches, dramas and performances.

AIDS in Namibia

The events of last November mark a step forward in society’s ability to confront HIV/AIDS and saw different people from different backgrounds and nationalities coming together and standing up against this terrible disease. And yet despite this good work each event throughout the week only saw a few members of the Lüderitz population in attendance. “We had expected so many more people to come” said one event organiser for the Friday Fun Day, the most youth orientated event, “but people just don’t want to hear anything about AIDS.” It is estimated that 21% of Namibia’s population (that’s one in four people) are living with HIV/AIDS. Namibia is ranked as having the 6th highest HIV/AIDS rate in the world so why, when there’s an event designed to raise awareness and show solidarity for carriers of the disease, was there such a low turnout of people? The answer; embarrassment, disinterest and stigma. Never before has a disease received such medical, media and research coverage and yet been so taboo to talk about, not only in Namibia or in Africa but across the entire globe. Is admitting to being HIV positive tantamount to destroying your social life? Your job prospects? Your family? And if so then why?

“Stigma remains the single most important barrier to public action. It is a main reason why too many people are afraid to see a doctor to determine whether they have the disease, or to seek treatment if so. It helps make AIDS the silent killer, because people fear the social disgrace of speaking about it, or taking easily available precautions. Stigma is a chief reason why the AIDS epidemic continues to devastate societies around the world”

Ban Ki Moon, UN General Secretary

Why is there stigma?

When discussing AIDS it’s important to remember that it is a new disease and as a result of that we do not yet know enough about it in order to cure it. This lack of knowledge leads to a fear that can be so irrational that it causes some of us to completely shun those who are infected, as if by touching them or breathing the same air as them we too will become HIV positive. Furthermore the disease is associated with socially undesirable activities, for example prostitution, drug addiction and homosexuality, leading many to believe that HIV carriers are undesirable people who should be avoided. Finally some believe that AIDS is a punishment from God and therefore comes to those who deserve it.

Stigma is a powerful and dangerous thing; it can mean the difference between social solidarity and social rejection, the difference between admitting to having the disease and accepting the drugs that will help and ignoring the illness and refusing any medication. It can mean the difference between being too proud to get tested and spreading the disease and staying safe and wearing a condom. It can even mean the difference between life and death. HIV/ AIDS is a vast and terrible disease and ignoring its existence or refusing to accept those who have been infected is only going to make the problem worse.