World AIDS Day

Each year, on December 1, the world unites to show compassion and support for people living with AIDS and HIV. To honor those who have lost their lives to an illness related to AIDS.

World AIDS Day

In 1988, the World Health Organization established World AIDS Day to allow local and national authorities to share information about the illness with other civilian organizations and private citizens. The United Nations Program on AIDS, UNAIDS, has been vocal in publicizing and organizing the commemoration day since 1996. In 2017, the United States President declared December 1 as World AIDS Day.

Since it was first documented, AIDS has taken the lives of more than 40 million people. Therefore, World AIDS Day is run yearly to push for more effective programs and policies to fight it.

Interesting HIV/AIDS facts

How do we commemorate World AIDS Day 2023?

Although HIV/AIDS deaths have declined almost 70% since 2004, and new HIV infections are at their lowest since the 80s, the disease still claims a life every minute worldwide. The goal is to end this public threat by 2030.

Governments and civil societies join together to spread the word by taking some of the following actions:

Equalize and join the awareness!

In 2023, the theme “Let Communities Lead” emphasizes society’s crucial role in the fight against HIV/AIDS. This year, we recognize that communities possess valuable insights, resources, and resilience to address the pandemic effectively.

“Let Communities Lead” for World AIDS Day 2023 emphasizes the empowerment of communities in decision-making, planning, and implementation of HIV/AIDS-related programs and policies. The goal is to encourage partnerships, promote inclusivity, and amplify the voices of communities affected by HIV/AIDS, acknowledging that community-led initiatives are essential for achieving sustainable progress in eradicating the disease.

Some of the urgent actions that need to be taken are: