Friday, December 4, 2009

World AIDS Day 2009

30th November 2009

“Ride for Rights’’ Bike Rally

Date:
30th November 2009
Venue :
The Madras School of Social work
No.32, CASA Major Road, Egmore, Chennai – 600008
Time :
11.30 am

INTRODUCTION ABOUT ICWO:

We Indian Community Welfare Organisation is a non-profitable, non-governmental social work organization, working for various developmental projects for the past 15 years in special focus with the marginalized community in Tamil Nadu. ICWO is doing a considerable amount of work in the field of STD/HIV/AIDS prevention with the aid of several dedicated volunteers, the constant encouragement and support of the government.

ABOUT WORLD AIDS DAY 2009

The theme for World AIDS Day 2009 is 'Universal Access and Human Rights'. Global leaders have pledged to work towards
universal access to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care, recognizing these as fundamental human rights. Valuable progress has been made in increasing access to HIV/AIDS services, yet greater commitment is needed around the world if the goal of universal access is to be achieved. Millions of people continue to be infected with HIV every year.

The protection of human rights is fundamental to combating the global HIV and AIDS epidemic. Violations against human rights fuel the spread of HIV, putting marginalised groups, such as
injecting drug users and sex workers, at a higher risk of HIV infection. By promoting individual human rights, new infections can be prevented and people who have HIV can live free from discrimination.

World AIDS Day provides an opportunity for all of us - individuals, communities and political leaders - to take action and ensure that human rights are protected and global targets for HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care are met.

“RIDE FOR RIGHTS’’ BIKE RALLY

To observe World AIDS Day on 30th November 2009, Indian Community Welfare Organisation- ICWO and Madras School of Social Work – MSSW organized a Bike rally titled “Ride for Rights’’.


Men from the Metal Men Club of Chennai were on their bikes and carried messages along with the students of MSSW to endorse the commitment from various stake holders to ensure Universal Access and Human Rights for the People living with HIV/AIDS.

The Rally was jointly inaugurated by Dr.R.LakshmiBai, Project Director, TamilNadu AIDS Initiative (TAI) and Mr.Amar Jothi Nayak, Regional Manager, Actionaid, Chennai Region. The poster was released by Dr.Fathima Vasanth, Principal, MSSW.


Speaking at the inauguration, Mr.A.J.Hariharan, Founder Secretary, ICWO, said that “this is important to increase access for high risk group for quality STI care which will eventually lead to decrease in the new HIV infection. It is equally important to promote and protect the rights of PLHIV to ensure the Quality Of Life for PLHIV in India. It is difficult to fight HIV in isolation. We need to bring in different stakeholders like the student community and various Civil Society Organizations to come together to fight against AIDS.”


Dr.R.Lakshmibai , Project Director, TamilNadu AIDS Initiative (TAI) opined that “its time for the civil societies and CBOs to empower the individuals who are especially living with HIV to access all the services properly. It is their responsibility to create awareness about their rights to access and live positively”

Mr.Amar Jothi Nayak, Regional Manager, Actionaid, Chennai Region and Dr.Fathima Vasanth, Principal, MSSW, participated in the rally as guests.

The World AIDS Day Event was organized by Indian Community Welfare Organization - ICWO in Association with Madras School of Social Work (MSSW).

Please visit our Website www.icwoindia.org to know more about our organization.