CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
The United Nations is launching a global campaign to combat the AIDS pandemic, which is threatening children as never before: Every minute a child under the age of 15 dies as a result of AIDS, and every day nearly 1,800 youngsters are newly infected with HIV.
At a prelaunch press briefing on Monday, UNICEF executive director Ann Veneman said children are the "invisible face" of a very visible disease and are missing out on the help that is going to adults to fight AIDS and help prevent its spread.
According to a new report from UNICEF and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, children under 15 account for one in six global AIDS-related deaths and one in seven new global HIV infections. An estimated 15 million children have lost one or both parents to AIDS, but fewer than 10% receive any public support.
At the official campaign launch on Tuesday, Veneman joined U.N. secretary-general Kofi Annan, UNICEF goodwill ambassador Roger Moore, UNAIDS executive director Peter Piot, and young people affected by AIDS. Launch events also were held in India, El Salvador, Brazil, Mozambique, Djibouti, the Netherlands, Ireland, Trinidad and Tobago, and Australia.
Veneman said the campaign to reduce HIV/AIDS among children is targeted at governments and policymakers. She urged countries to follow the example of the United States, the United Kingdom, and most recently Ireland, which have earmarked part of the funds they contribute to the global fight against AIDS to youngsters.
The campaign will focus on stopping mother-to-child HIV infections and on HIV prevention because 15- to 24-year-olds now account for half of all HIV infections. By 2010 the campaign expects to achieve a 25% drop in infections by providing education, information, and services to young people, she said. (AP)
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Meet all 37 of the queer women in this season's WNBA
April 17 2024 11:24 AM
Here are the 15 gayest travel destinations in the world: report
March 26 2024 9:23 AM
21+ steamy photos of Scotland’s finest gay men in Elska Glasgow
February 01 2024 10:07 PM
More Than 50 of Our Favorite LGBTQ+ Moms
May 12 2024 11:44 AM
Conjoined twins Lori Schappell and trans man George Schappell dead at 62
April 27 2024 6:13 PM
Latest Stories
Nancy Pelosi endorses Kamala Harris for president
July 22 2024 4:07 PM
Charli XCX declares Kamala Harris IS brat & our next President's campaign agrees
July 22 2024 3:08 PM
Pete Buttigieg roasts JD Vance and his gay tech bro billionaire
July 22 2024 1:42 PM
The AIDs pandemic can be ended by 2030, but governments must act: report
July 22 2024 1:01 PM
Conservatives' first attack on Kamala Harris: Pronouns and accessibility?
July 22 2024 12:45 PM
Advancing equality during Disability Pride Month
July 22 2024 11:30 AM