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World AIDS Day and Sinikithemba

December 1st is World AIDS Day, celebrating the progress that has been made and the remaining challenges in the fight against the global HIV/AIDS epidemic. The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS has declared the focus of World AIDS Day 2004 to be women and girls with an emphasis how gender inequality fuels the AIDS epidemic. A recent article published on Alternet, AIDS Pandemic Stalks Women, explains: At least 76 percent of young people aged between 15 and 24 living with AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa are female, according to a global report released yesterday. The report says 57 percent of adults living with AIDS in the region are women. This means that young women are about three times more vulnerable to HIV infection than their male counterparts. The UN AIDS study attributes the trend to sexual violence against women and girls, unequal access to information, especially between young women and men, gender-power relations and cultural norms like wife inheritance. While this picture is grim, there are many people working to change the trends. Some of the most powerful forces come from within the communities most in need. Keefe Murren and Nelson Walker III's iThemba tells the story of the Sinikithemba Choir of South Africa, a group of HIV+ singers that raise awareness about the need for antiretroviral drugs in Africa. The choir travels to the US and other nations, sharing their message and raising money to bring back to their local clinic. If you are in New York City this December 1st or 2nd, you can hear the Sinikithemba perform live at two inpirational events. Filmmaker, Keefe Murren explains: The choir members all come from the Sinikithemba HIV Clinic and their blend of Zulu and Gospel music is really beautiful. And chances are they will have traditional Zulu beadwork for sale too, which incidentally makes a great holiday gift -- all proceeds go toward providing medication for the Sinikithemba community. The word Sinikithemba translates as both Give Us Hope, and We Give Hope. The choir needs support in their fight against HIV/AIDS, but they offer you the strength of their spirit in return. Please come if you can! December 1st World AIDS Day Commemoration St. John the Divine 112th St & Amsterdam Ave 7:30-9pm December 2nd Columbia University Schapiro Center Davis Auditorium 530 West 120th St. between Broadway & Amsterdam 7-9pm We encourage you to go and show your support. You can also make an online donation! Act: Endorse equal access to HIV/AIDS medication through Health GAP. Lend your voice to the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative. Watch: iThemba I Promise Africa Learn more: World AIDS Day AIDS Pandemic Stalks Women The Global Coalition on Women and AIDS Get tested: Free HIV Testing and Counseling from Planned Parenthood of New York Submit your short on HIV/AIDS: fifth annual Media That Matters Film Festival OneWorld/Staying Alive World AIDS Day 2004 PSA competition

Published on November 29, 2004

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