UNAIDS and UNFPA has successfully organized the 1st AIDS Film Festival 08 at IDB Bhabon Theatre hall dated 24th November 08. 20 Films and audio Visual materials has participated in the festival from the 5 agencies. The participating agencies are Action Aid, Family Health International, SMC , UNFPA , USAID and UNAIDS.  

The four days long film festival was inaugurated by the honorable chief guest Dr. Parvin Rashid, CEO – Social Marketing Company (SMC) accompanied by Mr. Arthur Erken, Country Representative, UNFPA. The inguration session was chaired by Mr. Dan Odallo, UCC UNAIDS.  

After the opening speeches the respected guest has officially released the 1st AIDS Film volume of Bangladesh with the participation of a PLHIV leader the country. The mentioned Film volume contains most of the Films and Audio visuals that has been made since last 20 years in Bangladesh by different agencies and NGO’s.  Copy of this volume will be distributed to all the partners NGO’s and government bodies specially working in the field of public health and HIV AIDS.  

Premier Show of the Tale film “Aporajita”  by Action Aid Bangladesh held in a very aristocratic manner right after the opening ceremony by UNAIDS and UNFPA  ensuring the greatest participation of the donors like USAID, UNICEF, UNDP, Muktoakash, IOM and other UN families. Directors and script writers of the film were appeared once and share their feeling just before lunching the film. 

Representatives from Media and local level Ngo’s working on HIV AIDS were present in the launching ceremony.  

Selected Films for the Film week and the Volume 

International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Day 2009 was observed on May 17 with the slogan ‘Together we are the solution’. On the occasion, National AIDS/STD Programme (NASP) organised a programme at the Biam auditorium in the city remembering people who died of AIDS in Bangladesh. In Bangladesh so far 165 people died of AIDS while 58 died in the last one year. Dr. Hosne Ara Tahmunn, additional director general of Directorate General of Health Services and Dr Md Ishaque Khan, line director of NASP were present in the program as a chief guest and special guest. Bandhu Social Welfare Society presented a cultural function titled ‘Essence of Soul’ on the occasion while Ashar Alo Society held a documentary show on AIDS.

The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial, a program of the Global Health Council, is one of the oldest and largest grassroots mobilization campaigns for HIV/AIDS awareness in the world. Started in 1983, the Candlelight Memorial takes place every third Sunday in May and is led by a coalition of some 1,200 community organizations in 115 countries hosting local memorials that honor the lost and raise social consciousness about the disease.

The Candlelight Memorial has four goals:

to honor those who have died of AIDS;

• to demonstrate public support for those living with HIV/AIDS;
• to raise awareness of opportunities to respond to HIV/AIDS, and
• to assist grassroots organizations in building multi-sector community support and commitment to local, national, and/or global efforts to end the AIDS pandemic.

This year the memorial is being observed around the world with the theme “Together, We are the solution.” The theme has two strategic points which are crucial in responding to the issues of HIV and AIDS. The word “Together” reflects true application of greater involvement and participation of People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) in HIV and AIDS response at all levels.  Secondly, it also provides a guiding principle for the network of PLHA. The statement “We are the Solution” in the theme renders PLHAs and the networks to hold major responsibilities as leaders and role models in seeking solution to not only HIV as an epidemic in all its aspects, but also in addressing the underlying issues of HIV and AIDS which are of social, cultural, political and economic nature.

Game idea is that all players wear special jersey with the name of HIV, STI, hepatitis B, C etc. Teams promise to save their goal post from HIV, STI etc. When a player makes a goal they will break their promise and they have STI, HIV. No team will win but loose by getting different diseases. A quiz sheet will distributed to all viewers and they will get the answer from the messages board, commentary of the game and discussion with their peer. Viewers will get prize if they give correct answers.

Partnership with Light House, Center for Social Communication and Chircut Creative Production the Safe Love Football Match was organized on February 14, 2009 at Iqbal Road play ground. Students of University of Liberal Arts and Stamford University participated in the match. Professor Nazrul Islam, ex vice chancellor of BSMMU was the chief guest and Shah Masud Imam, chief of CSR, Standard Charted attended as a special guest in the program. HASAB, Youth First Concern, APON, VSO actively participated in this program by a messages dissemination stall. More than one thousand youth were gathered in the match.

A.F.M. Iqbal
Innovator, Safe Love Football Game

An official counsels a patient at the Ashar Alo Society centre. Photo: STAR

Read more >> http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=66005

Bangladesh is still to build proper infrastructure to combat with HIV/AIDS. In this background the country observed World AIDS Day on 01 December, 2008. The day is observed mainly to strengthen the campaign of creating awareness among the mass people.

The HIV infected cases found in this year was 288 and new AIDS case was 111 and overall death was 42. But it is hopeful to hear that the number is lesser in comparison to the previous year.

Different government, non-government, national and international organizations and donor agencies observed the day with different activities such as rally, dialogue, discussion, meeting etc.

Since the country is still to reach on that point of building that kind of infrastructure and mechanism where she can combat against HIV/AIDS, the journalists and different stakeholders, including professional bodies, association leaders, religious leaders, policymakers and development partners should come forward strongly with their assistance . NGO’s, Foreign agency’s Government Body and soe Non-Governmental institutions are also represent that day. The media can play a vital role here since they have a close relation with a vast part of the society along with the young people who are the most vulnerable part of the society.

It is a matter of great regret that only 21 percent of the people of the country have proper knowledge about AIDS. The people of the cities are included in this 21 percent. The other 79 percent of the people of the country make the condition worsen.

The concern part of the society especially the private companies should come up with more assistance for advertisements. They can launch campaign in media to build awareness on the people of the country. For this they can arrange concerts, many entertaining programme and make films based on the causes and effects of HIV/AIDS. The electronic media and newspapers can be used to attract the youth class of the country. But it should be kept on mind that those campaigns and functions have to conform with our own culture and social values unless it will not work.
It is the lack of information that brings this curse on a victim but it is the lack of information of the people that kills a HIV/AIDS victim. These stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV and AIDS have to be abolished.

Here we have to change the view of the people. People think that AIDS is something like sin. The people have to be taken in that ground of thinking where they can accept the diseased persons normally. Also the media people have to feel that commitment in writing and working about AIDS/HIV.

It is proved that HIV is a male issue so the male behavior in Bangladesh needs to be controlled to stop the spread of the virus. The main target should be the lower and middle class people. The campaign should be targeted to them.

Women are silent victims of HIV. But it is the male who spread HIV mostly. Since women are much conservative than man, they do not share their problems with others. To reach to them, different strategies should be taken.

If we work together, someday, it will be possible to reach to every people of the country and make them concern about HIV/AIDS.

By: Kamrul Hasan/ BDAIDS
1 December, 2008

In the year 2008 also Bangladesh celebrated widely the World AIDS Day. The bdaids ( http://www.bdaids.com ) as its first initiative recorded the rally started from Manik Mia Avenue ( Parliament Building ). All the HIV/AIDS activist organizations, NGO and Educational institute including National STD/ AIDS program joined in the event.

After the rally the AIDS Fair at China Bangladesh Convention Centre was organized. The huge visitors and activist was inspired and participated in the event. The number of organizations arranged campaign and display their publications and promotional materials in AIDS Fair.

This web documentary has been directed by the HIV/AIDS activist A.F.M. Iqbal with support from Light House and Machizo Multimedia . The film has been recorded by J. Alam and edited by Shahjahan Siraj

http://www.engenderhealth.org/pubs/courses/

http://www.unescobkk.org/hiv-aids/e-course/

 Building Knowledge about HIV and AIDS: An Interactive Course for Educators (2008)

This on-line course is primarily designed for those who educate young people in formal and informal settings. Learners will gain an in-depth understanding of the scientific, social, behavioral, and health-related aspects of HIV and AIDS. By the end of the course, learners should understand the links between the factors that drive the pandemic and those that affect people living with HIV and AIDS.
Organization: UNESCO
Contact: bkk.aids@unesco.org