WAC

On December 1, the Ukraine is planning a range of World AIDS Day activities covering 46 cities, including press conferences, the distribution of informational materials on city streets, visiting HIV-positive children and orphans and patients in AIDS centers. In addition, there will be a Kiev concert in Palace of Sport, with funds gathered directed for the need of HIV-positive people in Ukraine. Please see below for more World AIDS Day activities and events.

For World AIDS Day, December 1, networks of people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWH) in 12 countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia are taking action in solidarity together to press their governments to increase their commitment to tackling HIV and AIDS.

VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas) hosted a workshop for educational workers and peer volunteers on 21 November in Zhitikara, an industrial town in Kostani Oblast, Kazakhstan introducing them to interactive training methodologies in raising awareness of HIV and AIDS in preparation for World AIDS Day.

Please see below information about events in the CIS region

According to the estimates HIV prevalence among adults in Ukraine composes 1.4%. Considering this indicator, the Ukraine is the most HIV affected country in Europe. The current situation with HIV/AIDS in Ukraine has been characterized by AIDS professionals as a threat in causing social, economic and demographic collapse. Ukraine is the leader among all the former Soviet republics in the number of HIV-infected persons, at 377, 000. During the last 5 years HIV prevalence rate increased more than 20 times.

Please see below to read President Yushchenko’s World AIDS Day Address.

On October 18, 2007 next to the Ministry of Health of Ukraine public organizations, representatives of
the community of people living with HIV/AIDS and doctors held a protest action "Corruption = DEATH".

In 2004, by the initiative of the All-Ukrainian Network of PLWH, World AIDS Day became the first National Day of solidarity with HIV-positive people. This year, the slogan of this day is “Let your heart beat”…
This year, the All-Ukrainian Network of PLWH is honored to represent its new initiative for World AIDS Day – a fundraising action to collect funds to the national emergency fund of the All-Ukrainian Network of PLWH. The fund is now comprised of the membership fees and voluntary donations.

On October 12th, 2006, during Ukrainian Fashion Week, Alexey Zalevskiy, famous Ukrainian designer, presented a fashion collection dedicated to people living with HIV/AIDS. Five of 50 models, who were on the podium, are HIV positive.