Art for AIDS International has been part of the fight for the past 15 years in trying to end the stigma
around people living with HIV and AIDS around the world. As our organization has seen,
this is not a simple task that can be done alone, or in a set amount of time. There is no
one cause, problem, or solution surrounding the issues of HIV and AIDS, but in working
together we can continue to help educate people and make a change. That is why today,
Tuesday March 1st, we are celebrating Zero Discrimination Day with UNAIDS to help
raise awareness of the inequalities that people with HIV and AIDS regularly face.
UNAIDS has devised an action plan that focuses on healthcare, the workplace and
education settings, that they hope will allow to end or heavily decrease discrimination
against HIV and AIDS patients by the year 2021. Our thoughts and opinions about these
issues are what help shape the institutional policies in place. If we want to see change we
must all work together to be able to make sure that everyone, no matter who they are or
where they live are being provided the services they deserve without facing
discrimination.
Throughout our history, Art for AIDS International has seen many inspiring pieces created all over
the world in support of social justice and change. In honour of Zero Discrimination Day
we would like to share a few images created by students that found inspiration in the
butterfly. Please join us in celebrating the diversity and saying no to discrimination, today
and all days to come.
“On this year’s Zero Discrimination Day, people are being urged to value and embrace
diversity and recognize the diverse set of talents and skills that each person
brings—talents that enrich society and strengthen communities. Welcoming diversity in
all its forms reinforces social cohesion and brings valuable benefits to societies around
the world.”2
1http://www.unaids.org/en/resources/presscentre/pressreleaseandstatementarchive/2016/february/20160225_ZeroDiscri
minationDay
2 http://www.unaids.org/en/resources/documents/2016/Agenda-zero-discrimination-healthcare