The month of the red ribbon approaches. But a group of Rotaractors and Interactors dedicated to the cause have correctly identified the fact that the attention drawn by a red ribbon is inadequate as a means of promoting awareness and activism.
Hence the tagline of the upcoming Walk for Awareness 2010- ‘More than just a Red Ribbon.’
Organised by the Rotaract Clubs of Midcity, the University of Colombo- Faculty of Arts, the Informatics Institute of Technology and the University of Kelaniya and the Interact Clubs of St. Joseph’s College, D. S Senanayake College and Asian International School, the Walk for Awareness starts at 9 am on December 5 at Independence Avenue and ends at the Royal College Skills Centre where a seminar will be conducted by Dr. Sujatha Samarakoon- Consultant Venerealogist of the National Hospital, Colombo.
The seminar will focus on the objectives of creating increased awareness on the ways in which HIV and Aids can be transmitted, educating the youth on ways to protect themselves, and reducing the stigma and discrimination associated with HIV and Aids.
“The focus of the walk is not simply creating awareness,” explains Harshanee Jayasekera- Treasurer of the Rotaract Club of the University of Colombo- Faculty of Arts. “We want to place emphasis on changing the general attitude towards people with Aids. It is not a subject that most people are comfortable discussing, let alone openly giving attention to it.”
It is with this in mind that the young organizers feel that a walk makes an effective statement with regard to awareness, attitudes and activism. “It shows that the youth are keen to make a stand. And a walk doesn’t involve the organizers and those who participate in the walk but the people on the streets as well. A walk would be something of a talking point and hopefully it would get people thinking a little more about the issue for a start,” says Harshanee.
Promotion of awareness will also be created by an innovative poster campaign where each participating organization has given its creativity a free rein, designing thought provoking, comprehensible and accurate posters, slogans and artwork related to HIV and Aids. Leaflets with information on the prevention and transmission of HIV and Aids (supplied by the National STD and HIV and Aids Control Programmew (NSACP), Lanka Plus and NGO’s working to eradicate the epidemic) will be distributed by participants in conjunction with a sale of red ribbons. The proceeds from the sale will be donated to Lanka Plus, a local organization which gives focus to the cause of addressing the needs of those who suffers from PLHIV and Aids.
December being the month dedicated to Aids awareness, the organizers are aware that many such programs are conducted. “And that is a good thing,” says Harshanee, explaining that drawing a sizeable crowd for events of this nature is always a challenge. “This goes to show that awareness cannot be at the level it should be, and that there is still scope for more awareness programs. “And we feel that this is a cause which is best taken up by the youth as this generation is considered more open minded and therefore best suited to taking up this issue where other similar programs have left off.” |
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