Experts say stigma and discrimination fuel the spread of HIV

On the final day of the XV International AIDS Conference, experts warned of the dangers of HIV-related stigma and discrimination, arguing that such factors discourage people from coming forward to learn their HIV status and from taking precautions to protect others from possible infection. It also leads to the violation of human rights of people living with HIV/AIDS, and to insufficient care or inadequate programs to serve them.

Getting ahead of the epidemic - UNAIDS Executive Director's Plenary Address for the Closing Ceremony of the XV International AIDS Conference

The following is a transcript of Peter Piot's Speech at the Closing Ceremony of the XV International AIDS Conference, held in Bangkok, Thailand, during July 2004

KZN women making headlines

KwaZulu-Natal is home to three of the inspiring finalists in the Shoprite Checkers/SABC 2 Women of the Year Award. The award is a major initiative for National Women’s Day and identifies and pays tribute to the most exceptional and achieving women in the country, whose unswerving commitment and dedication have made a tangible difference to their communities and in society as a whole.

Condoms coming to nightclubs

The health department will soon begin touting its new brand of condom in nightclubs across the country. The campaign advertising Choice condoms has already started in four Gauteng clubs and will kick off in six Cape Town clubs this week.

Preaching a positive sermon on HIV

When the “who’s who? of Africa’s church leadership met in Nairobi last month to consider the role of the church in the HIV/AIDS pandemic, the event was characterised by a transparency on sexuality that only the enormous tragedy that is sweeping the continent could have induced. Widely practised customs such as polygamy, wife-inheritance and cross-generational sex came under scrutiny.

Generation no-sex

Many modern teenagers would never confess to anything as unfashionable as being a virgin, but lately a new breed of young people has started to emerge - young women who are actually proud to be virgins.

HIV/AIDS is reversing all South Africa's health gains

HIV/AIDS and lifestyle diseases are the chief causes of death among South Africans, doctors and nurses continue to leave the country and health spending is not keeping pace with what is needed. All in all, we’re not looking too healthy.

July 2004 HIVAN/WCRP Forum

Questions you’ve always wanted to ask your religious leader about HIV/AIDS but were afraid to ask … was the focus of the July 2004 Forum of Faith-leaders and HIV/AIDS researchers, co-hosted by the World Conference on Religion and Peace (WCRP) and HIVAN, and held at Durban’s Temple David.

Fight against HIV/AIDS goes hi-tech

A bold new chapter in the battle to find a solution to the raging HIV/AIDS pandemic was written at the Doris Duke Research Institute at the Nelson R Mandel Medical School of the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban this week.

All Thai'ed Up - the HIVAN team in Bangkok

Eleven of HIVAN’s staff members attended the XV International AIDS Conference in bustling Bangkok during July 2004. The Conference hosted approximately 20000 delegates, featured many tracks and a varied cultural programme, all centred on the theme “access for all?.