HIV/AIDS related International Days

1st December

World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day takes place on the 1st December each year. This year, 2019, the theme for World AIDS Day is “Communities make a difference”. World AIDS Day is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, to show support for people living with HIV, and to commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness. Founded in 1988, World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day. Globally, there are an estimated 36.7 million people who have the virus. Despite the virus only being identified in 1984, more than 35 million people have died of HIV or AIDS, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history. World AIDS Day is important because it reminds the public and government that HIV has not gone away – there is still a vital need to raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education.

HIV/AIDS related International Days

19th May

Candlelight Memorial

The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial, coordinated by the Global Network of People living with HIV is one of the world’s oldest and largest grassroots mobilization campaigns for HIV awareness in the world. Started in 1983, the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial takes place every third Sunday in May and is led by a coalition of some 1,200 community organizations in 115 countries. The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial is much more than just a memorial. It serves as a community mobilization campaign to raise social consciousness about HIV and AIDS. With 33 million people living with HIV today, the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial serves as an important intervention for global solidarity, breaking down barriers of stigma and discrimination, and giving hope to new generations.

HIV/AIDS related International Days

1st March

Zero Discrimination Day

Zero Discrimination Day is an annual day celebrated by the UN and other international organisations. The day aims to promote equality before the law and in practice throughout all of the member countries of the UN. The day was first celebrated on March 1, 2014, and was launched by UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé on 27 February of that year with a major event in Beijing. In February 2017, UNAIDS called on people to ‘make some noise around zero discrimination, to speak up and prevent discrimination from standing in the way of achieving ambitions, goals and dreams. The day is particularly noted by organisations like UNAIDS that combat discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS. “HIV related stigma and discrimination is pervasive and exists in almost every part of the world.

HIV/AIDS related International Days

18th May

HIV Vaccine Awareness Day

HIV Vaccine Awareness Day is observed each year to recognize the many volunteers, community members, health professionals, and scientists working to develop a vaccine to prevent HIV. It is also an opportunity to educate communities about the importance of preventive HIV vaccine research. A safe and effective preventive HIV vaccine is key to ending the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

HIV research also includes efforts to develop a vaccine for HIV treatment (called a therapeutic vaccine). A safe and effective therapeutic HIV vaccine could prevent HIV from advancing to AIDS, replace daily use of HIV medicines, and help eliminate HIV from the body.

HIV/AIDS related International Days

17th October

Philly Bongoley Lutaaya Day

Philly Bongoley Lutaaya (19 October 1951 – 15 December 1989) was a Ugandan musician who was the first prominent Ugandan to give a human face to HIV/AIDS. Before dying of AIDS, Lutaaya had spent his remaining healthy time writing songs about his battle with AIDS and touring churches and schools throughout Uganda to spread a message of prevention and hope.

The Philly Bongoley Lutaaya Day is celebrated every 17^th of October

HIV/AIDS related International Days

5th June

HIV long-term survivors Day

Globally, 36.9 million people were living with HIV at the end of 2017. A lot of these people have been living with HIV for many years.

Treatment with HIV medicines (called ART) has transformed HIV from a fatal disease into a manageable chronic condition. Daily ART helps people with HIV live longer, healthier lives and reduces the risk of HIV transmission.

June 5 is a day set aside each year to honor long-term survivors of HIV and to raise awareness of their needs, issues, and journeys.