Malawi to host international AIDS Candlelight Memorial
Malawi becomes the first country outside of the US to host the international AIDS Candlelight Memorial, one of the world's oldest such events. The event has been US-based for the past 25 years but early this year the Global Health Council decided to launch the global ceremony of the campaign in Malawi's capital Lilongwe on Sunday May 18, 2008.
The memorial takes place on the third Sunday of May each year and this year's theme is Never Give Up, Never Forget.
Principal Secretary for Nutrition and HIV and AIDS in the office of President and Cabinet in Malawi, Dr. Mary Shawa, said the council chose Malawi as the venue for the event because of the unique achievement it has registered in its national response to HIV/AIDS.
“Our involvement with the civil society, non-governmental organisations and communities has been more than impressive,” said Shawa, adding that as a testimony to this relationship, the Malawi Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS MANET+ is the organisation currently coordinating the commemoration in the country.
“On the other hand the choice of Malawi for the launch of the event would present an opportunity for the world to learn from Malawi on the best practices of taking the AIDS Candlelight Memorial to the community,” he said.
Shawa says since 1983, the campaign has brought communities together to light candles in honour of those lost to AIDS, those living with HIV and affected by the AIDS pandemic, and to encourage people living with HIV to come in the open as a way of combating stigma and discrimination.
Malawi's HIV prevalence rate has not moved from 14% for four years now. Over 57% of over a million people living with HIV/AIDS are women in Malawi.
The choice of Malawi for the launch, which will be covered by global media, was also based on several criteria including the vital role Malawian women play in preventing HIV and caring for those affected.
“Malawian women will share experiences and form networks during the event with other international delegates,” said Shawa.
The other criterion was on how the Malawi media has covered HIV/AIDS issues.
“Our media has played a positive role in reporting success stories of government, organisations and people,” said MANET+ Executive Director Charles Kampango.
