A HUGE candle burns on the stage in Judson Hall as the announcer invites children to come forward. After lighting their small red candles from the larger flame, the kids disperse through the hall, sharing the light with the 200 people gathered for the memorial service.
Organised publicly for the first time, the AIDS candlelight memorial on May 26 is indicative of the changing nature of the fight against HIV.
The initiative of seven community-based networks established by those infected with HIV, it was also attended by Dr Sung Gang – the country coordinator for UNAIDS – religious leaders from four faiths, people living with HIV and those who have lost a relative to AIDS.
The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial was first held internationally in 1983, when the cause of AIDS was unknown. While some local networks have marked the day individually since 2005, this year was the first time they had conducted a joint public event. One organiser remarked that it represented them “coming out from underground” – a reference to both the stigma attached to those infected and the fact the groups are unregistered and technically illegal.
After Judson Hall had been brightened by hundreds of candles, the announcer requested the audience to observe a minute’s silence for those lost to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), the disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus, better known as HIV.
Mindful of the tragic impact the virus has had here and in many other countries, the participants wore solemn expressions as they held the tiny candles in their hands. The room was still and silent, but some appeared to be praying under their breath, while others had eyes wet with tears.
Daw Naw Shae Wah, chair of the Myanmar Positive Women Network, told The Myanmar Times the event was organised to give courage and strength to people living with HIV/AIDS and to remember those who have died.
“This is a day of strength, union and shared happiness for those who identify as being infected with this disease,” she said. “They feel at ease, and are encouraged and motivated when they see the crowd of people living with HIV. They can see they are not alone.”
“If a person with HIV takes medicine properly and follows medical advice closely they can live a normal-length life. But often we see people who give up on life because they are ostracised by their family, friends and society.”
Daw Naw Shae Wah, who is also a project officer at Myanmar Positive Group, another of the community groups behind the event, said she hoped the event would mobilise community involvement in the fight against HIV and also decrease stigma attached to the disease.
“Although community awareness-raising programs about HIV are being conducted, there is still a lot of misunderstanding and stigma in society, even among the well educated. This indicates we need to expand these awareness programs,” she said.
Dr Sun Gang said at the ceremony that combating HIV was not only a concern for sufferers and their families. He said reducing new infections and ensuring those already infected have access to treatment – as required by the UN’s Millennium Development Goals – would require all members of society to work together.
“It is a welcome development that there are groups working for HIV/AIDS in this country but it would be more effective if people in leading roles [provide more] support to their work,” Dr Gang said.
A member of the Injecting Drug Users Network Myanmar told a familiar story of drug use that ended with him not only losing the respect of family and friends but also contracting HIV.
After battling depression he began receiving treatment and told the audience he was determined to play a part in supporting others who had been infected.
“It is not a time to feel sorry, to mourn my current condition, to reminisce about my old, happy days or react aggressively towards the society or friends who don’t accept me. It is a time to combat the negative attitudes towards those with HIV, and help those who have the same experiences as I do,” he said.
He said his network advocates for harmonisation of government policy, particularly in regards to the welfare of HIV sufferers, and the expansion of community-based HIV and hepatitis C harm reduction approaches.
They also collaborate with various like-minded groups, organisations and agencies to promote the effective and meaningful participation of drug users in the national response to HIV and drug use.
One attendee told the audience that support networks were vitally important in the fight against HIV and needed more backing from other stakeholders.
“I am HIV-positive and standing up here today on behalf of all sufferers. But I feel like I’m standing on a fence because I am not sure whether society welcomes us truly. The lack of support from the government is one reason why I don’t normally dare stand up like this in front of people and declare I am HIV-positive,” he said.
“When people find out they are infected they feel depressed and shocked … They often feel the need to speak to someone who is going through the same experience,” he said.
“We need groups that can provide proper treatment as well as psychosocial support to sufferers. If the government and international NGOs can work to strengthen self-help groups it will bring more benefits for HIV sufferers.”
National NGOs Network on HIV/AIDS, Myanmar MSM Network, Myanmar Interfaith Network on AIDS and Sex Workers in Myanmar Network were also involved in the organisation of the event.
Organised publicly for the first time, the AIDS candlelight memorial on May 26 is indicative of the changing nature of the fight against HIV.
The initiative of seven community-based networks established by those infected with HIV, it was also attended by Dr Sung Gang – the country coordinator for UNAIDS – religious leaders from four faiths, people living with HIV and those who have lost a relative to AIDS.
The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial was first held internationally in 1983, when the cause of AIDS was unknown. While some local networks have marked the day individually since 2005, this year was the first time they had conducted a joint public event. One organiser remarked that it represented them “coming out from underground” – a reference to both the stigma attached to those infected and the fact the groups are unregistered and technically illegal.
After Judson Hall had been brightened by hundreds of candles, the announcer requested the audience to observe a minute’s silence for those lost to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), the disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus, better known as HIV.
Mindful of the tragic impact the virus has had here and in many other countries, the participants wore solemn expressions as they held the tiny candles in their hands. The room was still and silent, but some appeared to be praying under their breath, while others had eyes wet with tears.
Daw Naw Shae Wah, chair of the Myanmar Positive Women Network, told The Myanmar Times the event was organised to give courage and strength to people living with HIV/AIDS and to remember those who have died.
“This is a day of strength, union and shared happiness for those who identify as being infected with this disease,” she said. “They feel at ease, and are encouraged and motivated when they see the crowd of people living with HIV. They can see they are not alone.”
“If a person with HIV takes medicine properly and follows medical advice closely they can live a normal-length life. But often we see people who give up on life because they are ostracised by their family, friends and society.”
Daw Naw Shae Wah, who is also a project officer at Myanmar Positive Group, another of the community groups behind the event, said she hoped the event would mobilise community involvement in the fight against HIV and also decrease stigma attached to the disease.
“Although community awareness-raising programs about HIV are being conducted, there is still a lot of misunderstanding and stigma in society, even among the well educated. This indicates we need to expand these awareness programs,” she said.
Dr Sun Gang said at the ceremony that combating HIV was not only a concern for sufferers and their families. He said reducing new infections and ensuring those already infected have access to treatment – as required by the UN’s Millennium Development Goals – would require all members of society to work together.
“It is a welcome development that there are groups working for HIV/AIDS in this country but it would be more effective if people in leading roles [provide more] support to their work,” Dr Gang said.
A member of the Injecting Drug Users Network Myanmar told a familiar story of drug use that ended with him not only losing the respect of family and friends but also contracting HIV.
After battling depression he began receiving treatment and told the audience he was determined to play a part in supporting others who had been infected.
“It is not a time to feel sorry, to mourn my current condition, to reminisce about my old, happy days or react aggressively towards the society or friends who don’t accept me. It is a time to combat the negative attitudes towards those with HIV, and help those who have the same experiences as I do,” he said.
He said his network advocates for harmonisation of government policy, particularly in regards to the welfare of HIV sufferers, and the expansion of community-based HIV and hepatitis C harm reduction approaches.
They also collaborate with various like-minded groups, organisations and agencies to promote the effective and meaningful participation of drug users in the national response to HIV and drug use.
One attendee told the audience that support networks were vitally important in the fight against HIV and needed more backing from other stakeholders.
“I am HIV-positive and standing up here today on behalf of all sufferers. But I feel like I’m standing on a fence because I am not sure whether society welcomes us truly. The lack of support from the government is one reason why I don’t normally dare stand up like this in front of people and declare I am HIV-positive,” he said.
“When people find out they are infected they feel depressed and shocked … They often feel the need to speak to someone who is going through the same experience,” he said.
“We need groups that can provide proper treatment as well as psychosocial support to sufferers. If the government and international NGOs can work to strengthen self-help groups it will bring more benefits for HIV sufferers.”
National NGOs Network on HIV/AIDS, Myanmar MSM Network, Myanmar Interfaith Network on AIDS and Sex Workers in Myanmar Network were also involved in the organisation of the event.
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