World AIDS Day is celebrated annually around the world on December 1, in accordance with the decision of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the decision of the UN General Assembly adopted in 1988.
The Day has become one of the most important international days related to health issues and a key opportunity to raise awareness, pay tribute to those killed by the disease, and to celebrate achievements such as increasing access to treatment and prevention measures.
On June 5, 1981, the American Center for Disease Control registered a new disease, — AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). This is a serious condition that develops in a person against the background of severe immunodeficiency caused by a long course of HIV infection.
There are no ways to completely cure HIV infection. However, as access to effective prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care for HIV and opportunistic infections increases, HIV infection has become a controlled chronic disease and HIV-infected people can live long and healthy lives.
AIDS Day was first celebrated on December 1, 1988, after a meeting of health ministers from all countries called for social tolerance and increased information sharing on HIV/AIDS.
This international day, celebrated annually, serves to strengthen organized efforts to combat the HIV and AIDS pandemic spreading across all regions of the world. Organized efforts are aimed at strengthening public support for HIV/AIDS prevention programs, providing education and information on all aspects of HIV/AIDS.
Understanding the increasing challenges associated with the HIV/AIDS pandemic, the UN created an alliance of six world organizations in 1996. Called the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the program brings together the United Nations Children's Fund, the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Population Fund, the Organization as sponsors of this joint project Education, Science and Culture (UNESCO), World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Bank.
UNAIDS supports long-term global projects for the prevention of HIV infection and AIDS; assists the fight for human rights regardless of HIV status, provides assistance to countries around the world through prevention training, supporting HIV/AIDS research and working with programs to expand the international front in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
According to the organization, as of 2022, 39 million people worldwide are infected with HIV, and 86% of them knew their status. But knowing your — status is the first step towards HIV treatment and prevention.
World AIDS Day has become an annual event in most countries and is held every year under various mottos reflecting current pressing issues. Although December 1 is defined as the date for the Day, many communities organize a number of educational and diagnostic activities during the weeks and days before and after the official celebration.
Red Ribbon is a symbol of the fight against AIDS (Photo: wavebreakmedia, licensed from Shutterstock.com)
The symbol of the fight against AIDS is the red ribbon; not a single action in this area can do without it now. This ribbon as a symbol of understanding AIDS was conceived in the spring of 1991. Her idea belongs to the artist Frank Moore. He lived in a provincial town in New York State, where a neighboring family wore yellow ribbons, hoping for the safe return of their Gulf soldier daughter.
Ribbons as a symbol first appeared during the Gulf War. Green ribbons, similar to the uninverted letter «V», have become a symbol of the experiences associated with the murders of children in Atlanta. The artist decided that the ribbon could be a metaphor for AIDS too.
The idea was adopted by the Visual AIDS group. Since the organization consisted of professional artists and art managers, advertising of a visible symbol of the fight against AIDS was done very well. It all started very simply. Here's an excerpt from an early «Visual AIDS» leaflet: «Cut off a 6cm long red ribbon, then roll upside down «V» at the top. Use an English pin to attach it to your clothes».
The «Red Ribbon» project was officially launched at the 45th Annual Tony Awards on June 2, 2000. All nominees and participants were asked (and quite successfully) to pin such tapes. According to a press release announcing the project «Red Ribbon»: «Red Ribbon (inverted «V») will become a symbol of our compassion, support and hope for a future without AIDS. The greatest hope associated with this — project is that by December 1, World AIDS Day, these ribbons will be worn around the world». And the red ribbon gained enormous popularity. Even though outright AIDS phobia was at its peak, red ribbons increasingly appeared on the lapels of jackets and the margins of — hats wherever you could pin an English pin. Over the next few years, the ribbons became part of the dress code for selections not only at Tony ceremonies, but also at the Oscars and Emmys.
Postcard «December 1 — World AIDS Day»