National HIV/AIDS Billboard entitled "Attitude" Unveiled at Meskel Square
Addis Ababa, July18(ENA)--A National HIV/AIDS Billboard entitled "Attitude" was unveiled at Meskel Square here in the Metropolis on Friday.
The Billboard carries messages on the key issues hindering progress in HIV/AIDS prevention and control efforts, namely, the need to reduce and eliminate stigma and discrimination.
The Billboard also is meant to promote committed leadership, popular participation, and attitudinal change in order to save future generations.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Ambassador Teshome Toga said encouraging activities were being carried out to create a national youth movement to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS in the country.
Ambassador Teshome said the government of Ethiopia has given due attention to the youth by taking significant policy measures aimed at addressing multiple challenges including HIV/AIDS.
"The issue of HIV/AIDS was the top priority area in addressing the overall problems of the youth," Ambassador Teshome said.
Engaging the youth to care and support of people living with HIV/AIDS and protect them from stigma, isolation and discrimination would undoubtedly enhance behavioral communication activities, the minister said.
Speaker of the House of Peoples representatives, Dawit Yohannes, Mayor of Addis Ababa City Administration, Arkebe Equbay, the U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia, Aurelia Brazeal and Ambassador Teshome have joined in unveiling the Billboard.
Mayor of the Addis Ababa City Government, Arkebe Equbay said on the occasion that the media, PLWHAs and the general public have a pivotal role in raising the awareness of the entire community about the killer disease.
The Mayor, however, said much more effort was needed to prevent and control the spread of the epidemic.
The U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia, Aurelia Brazeal, who joined in the unveiling of the Billboard said Ethiopia was one of the beneficiaries of the 15 billion U.S. Dollars pledge recently made by U.S. President George W. Bush to the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Although the fight against the pandemic by various governmental and non-governmental organizations was encouraging, much more remains to be done to contain the spread of the disease, Ambassador Brazeal said.
She also said Ethiopia should learn a lot from the international community and look for funds to effectively fight the scourge of HIV/AIDS.
The Billboard was created by Artist Tesfamichael Fisseha and has reportedly been pre-tested with stakeholders, experts, and the community in a number of focus groups representing youth, people living with HIV/AIDS, orphans, women, and the elderly.
The poster is also designed to inspire other creative artists to engage in the fight against the epidemic, and will remain in display for a year.
The Billboard is co-sponsored by the National HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Office, Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Culture, Addis Ababa City Government, and Walta Information Center.
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