By Tria Tatum
The theme for World AIDS Day 2011 is ‘Getting to Zero’. After 30 years of the global fight against HIV/AIDS, this year the global community has committed to focusing on achieving 3 targets: “Zero new HIV infections. Zero discrimination. Zero AIDS-related deaths”.
As Avert.org shows, the global HIV epidemic is extremely diverse, with both similarities and differences between regions, countries, provinces and communities. However, in order to meet the challenge of ‘Getting to Zero’ the global community must work together to achieve universal access to HIV prevention, treatment and care.
World AIDS Day provides an opportunity for all of us – individuals, communities and political leaders – to take on the challenge of getting to zero.
The red ribbon is an international symbol of AIDS awareness that is worn by people all year round and particularly around World AIDS Day to demonstrate care and concern about HIV and AIDS, and to remind others of the need for their support and commitment.
The red ribbon started as a “grass roots” effort; as a result there is no one official AIDS ribbon manufacturer, and many people make their own. It’s easily done – just use some ordinary red ribbon and a safety pin!