December 1st is World AIDS Day, a commemorative day that began December 1st 1988. The theme this year is “Universal Access and Human Rights”. From the UNAIDS website, here is some information about the epidemic:
“It’s clear that the HIV epidemic the world faces today is not the same as when it peaked in 1996. The number of people living with HIV globally is now at 33.4 million and although 2.7 million people became newly infected with HIV in 2008, good news is that this is a decrease by 17% over the last eight years.”
http://www.unaids.org/en/KnowledgeCentre/Resources/FeatureStories/archive/2009/20091124_outlook_2010.asp
Lone Star Health is hoping to continue to provide current information about the epidemic: vaccine trials (recently Thailand); new research about drug targets and the physiology of elite controllers; drug company commitments to affordable drugs; international financial aid; the status of the epidemic in specific countries; individual editorials about the causes behind the progressing pandemic and many more areas relating to this globally devastating situation. There are also news stories about issues in Liberia such as sanitation problems, teen pregnancy and malnourished children crisis and the nationwide yellow fever vaccine initiative. We are also interested in promoting personal protection, therefore, we encourage everyone to take the time to consider their own practices and get tested to know their status.
In this season of Thanksgiving and reflection, there have been so many reports about infant mortality, and the increasing rate of women’s deaths post pregnancy. Women around the world are becoming the forefront of news. Here in the US there is debate over guidelines for when women should get routine breast exams amongst other tests. However, at least here, women have access to health care management. In developing countries, the lack of healthcare personnel, resources, and basic concern leaves women in a dismal state. In their book, “Half the Sky” Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn utilize the term “gendercide” to communicate the systematic repression and neglect of women worldwide. This can begin in infancy, continue to sex trafficking, honor killings and rapes, be manifested in lower wages, unwanted marriages or pregnancies leading to fistulas or death, be perpetuated by fathers, brothers, sons, husbands, mothers, mother-in-laws, neighbors, or international criminal operations, and can cause a plethora of devastating effects. This is not a phenomenon that is restricted to one kind of person, region, religion, culture or society but is perpetuated globally. The mistreatment of women can be subtle or horrendous. In addition, the reasons behind gendercide are innumerable. From socio-economics to lack of education. The authors make note that the struggle for women’s rights is the greatest moral challenge of this century. The book takes the opportunity to outline these societal ills but also highlights the progression of women. This is seen through the use of microfinancing opportunities to start businesses and become financially independent, the role of international aid agencies that promote female education and empowerment or the sheer will and determination of oppressed women to prevent other women from becoming victims also.
There are numerous agencies around for any and everyone to become involved in. Locally, nationally, and internationally. There is a call for all people of any gender or nationality to learn more about the struggles women face, which are not simply female injustices, but human injustices. Both men and women are part of the problem and both can be part of the solution. This book and the reality it reflects is shocking, scary, and sad. But equally or more importantly so, it is uplifting, inspiring, motivational and prophetic. The authors don’t claim addressing the plight of women will solve all the world’s problems, but what it will help to mend in society is remarkable. Better education for girls can reduce unwanted pregnancies, abortions and/or children; better educated girls can help improve the health and economic outcomes of a country; more women in the workplace in most instances equates to more productivity and return. The movement for gender equality is a combination of motivations for rights and social justice. There are numerous moral, economical, ethical, and downright simply sensible reasons why women should experience the same opportunities and autonomy, have the same access to resources and education, and not suffer more severe punishments and assaults than men. Now is the time to choose one of those reasons and fight for equality because of it.
“It’s clear that the HIV epidemic the world faces today is not the same as when it peaked in 1996. The number of people living with HIV globally is now at 33.4 million and although 2.7 million people became newly infected with HIV in 2008, good news is that this is a decrease by 17% over the last eight years.”
http://www.unaids.org/en/KnowledgeCentre/Resources/FeatureStories/archive/2009/20091124_outlook_2010.asp
Lone Star Health is hoping to continue to provide current information about the epidemic: vaccine trials (recently Thailand); new research about drug targets and the physiology of elite controllers; drug company commitments to affordable drugs; international financial aid; the status of the epidemic in specific countries; individual editorials about the causes behind the progressing pandemic and many more areas relating to this globally devastating situation. There are also news stories about issues in Liberia such as sanitation problems, teen pregnancy and malnourished children crisis and the nationwide yellow fever vaccine initiative. We are also interested in promoting personal protection, therefore, we encourage everyone to take the time to consider their own practices and get tested to know their status.
In this season of Thanksgiving and reflection, there have been so many reports about infant mortality, and the increasing rate of women’s deaths post pregnancy. Women around the world are becoming the forefront of news. Here in the US there is debate over guidelines for when women should get routine breast exams amongst other tests. However, at least here, women have access to health care management. In developing countries, the lack of healthcare personnel, resources, and basic concern leaves women in a dismal state. In their book, “Half the Sky” Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn utilize the term “gendercide” to communicate the systematic repression and neglect of women worldwide. This can begin in infancy, continue to sex trafficking, honor killings and rapes, be manifested in lower wages, unwanted marriages or pregnancies leading to fistulas or death, be perpetuated by fathers, brothers, sons, husbands, mothers, mother-in-laws, neighbors, or international criminal operations, and can cause a plethora of devastating effects. This is not a phenomenon that is restricted to one kind of person, region, religion, culture or society but is perpetuated globally. The mistreatment of women can be subtle or horrendous. In addition, the reasons behind gendercide are innumerable. From socio-economics to lack of education. The authors make note that the struggle for women’s rights is the greatest moral challenge of this century. The book takes the opportunity to outline these societal ills but also highlights the progression of women. This is seen through the use of microfinancing opportunities to start businesses and become financially independent, the role of international aid agencies that promote female education and empowerment or the sheer will and determination of oppressed women to prevent other women from becoming victims also.
There are numerous agencies around for any and everyone to become involved in. Locally, nationally, and internationally. There is a call for all people of any gender or nationality to learn more about the struggles women face, which are not simply female injustices, but human injustices. Both men and women are part of the problem and both can be part of the solution. This book and the reality it reflects is shocking, scary, and sad. But equally or more importantly so, it is uplifting, inspiring, motivational and prophetic. The authors don’t claim addressing the plight of women will solve all the world’s problems, but what it will help to mend in society is remarkable. Better education for girls can reduce unwanted pregnancies, abortions and/or children; better educated girls can help improve the health and economic outcomes of a country; more women in the workplace in most instances equates to more productivity and return. The movement for gender equality is a combination of motivations for rights and social justice. There are numerous moral, economical, ethical, and downright simply sensible reasons why women should experience the same opportunities and autonomy, have the same access to resources and education, and not suffer more severe punishments and assaults than men. Now is the time to choose one of those reasons and fight for equality because of it.
World AIDS Day Events Calendar
http://www.worldaidscampaign.org/en/Key-events/World-AIDS-Day/Events-Calendar/WAD-2009-Events-Calendar
World AIDS Day Information:
http://www.avert.org/world-aids-day.htm
“Half the Sky”
http://www.halftheskymovement.org/
http://www.worldaidscampaign.org/en/Key-events/World-AIDS-Day/Events-Calendar/WAD-2009-Events-Calendar
World AIDS Day Information:
http://www.avert.org/world-aids-day.htm
“Half the Sky”
http://www.halftheskymovement.org/
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