The Sri Lanka Business Coalition on HIV and AIDS launched a media campaign last week targeted at reducing stigma and discrimination against HIV and AIDS victims.
The Business Coalition was founded in November 2007 and by now has a membership of around 50 local and multinational companies. The Coalition works with the Ministry of Labour, the National STD/AIDS Control Programme of the Ministry of Health, the ILO, UNAIDS, Chambers of Commerce, and the Employers Federation of Ceylon, to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS by educating the working public of the country.
Although Sri Lanka is considered a low prevalence country, Sri Lanka is also considered high risk because research shows that AIDS spreads faster in countries with widespread poverty and armed conflict. Therefore, workplace awareness and sensitisation towards HIV/AIDS is seen as timely in Sri Lanka.
The media campaign launched last week will feature corporate personalities and film star and HIV AIDS activist, Nita Fernando to spread the message of AIDS awareness. The Campaign is endorsed by the National STD and AIDS Control Program.
A special trilingual song dedicated to the late Dr Kamalika Abeyratne, a pioneer HIV/AIDS activist in Sri Lanka was also released. Proceeds from the song will be used by the Living with Hope Foundation, set up by Nita Fernando, to protect the rights of AIDS victims in Sri Lanka.
The Coalition says it is promoting an ‘HIV/AIDS Workplace Policy’ among its members and is providing ‘awareness training’ with no extra costs to participating companies. |
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