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Bangladesh NGOs Network for<br>
Radio and Communication<br>
</b></font><font face="Arial Narrow, Helvetica" size=1>Promoting
Communication Technology for a Fairer World<br><br>
<br><br>
<br><br>
<br>
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<font size=4 color="#0000FF"><b>WACC Statement on World AIDS Day:
<br>
Christian communication rights group calls <br>
on church leaders and communicators to fight HIV stigma<br>
</b></font><font size=4> <br>
</font><font size=3>The World Association for Christian Communication
(WACC) is calling on its members and partners to encourage their faith
communities and their local media to make visible the contributions of
people living with HIV and AIDS by allowing them to take leadership
positions in parish and community life and by making their voices heard
in church and community media. Men and women living with HIV and AIDS
make daily contributions to the life of their faith communities. Sadly,
these contributions are not always acknowledged by leaders or made
visible in what is communicated. <br>
<br>
Research has shown that fear of stigmatisation and exclusion from the
life of their faith community are key factors preventing people from
seeking testing, counselling and treatment. When an HIV+ person is
unaware of their status, or does not disclose it for fear of
stigmatisation, they go untreated, the virus continues to spread and the
rate of mortality increases. By embodying inclusion, faith communities
encourage people to live openly with their condition. People living with
HIV and affected by AIDS are convincing spokespersons in the fight to
eradicate HIV if given voice and a role as credible leaders in their
communities. <br>
<br>
By openly supporting and encouraging HIV+ positive people to take visible
leadership roles, faith communities present a model of inclusive
community which is a true reflection of the Gospel, “We are all part of
the body of Christ, each one of us” (1 Cor. 12: 27). <br>
<br>
WACC, a communication rights organisation, supports and advances
communication strategies to change discriminatory behaviour that
contributes to the spread of HIV and the harm it causes. The
organisation’s HIV and AIDS communication programme focuses on
anti-stigma initiatives with faith-based leaders and communicators and
their civil society partners in Benin, Ghana, Nigeria, Rwanda, South
Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, India, Jamaica, Colombia and Chile. <br>
<br>
Further information about WACC’s HIV&AIDS Programme can be found at
<a href="http://www.waccglobal.org">www.waccglobal.org</a> or by
contacting Julienne Munyaneza, Programme Manager for HIV&AIDS at
<a href="mailto:ProgrammeF@waccglobal.org">JM@waccglobal.org</a> <br>
<br>
<br>
The Rev. Randy Naylor<br>
General Secretary<br><br>
</font><font face="@SimSun" size=3 color="#0000FF"><b>BNNRC is a
corporate member of WACC.</b></font><font size=3> </font></body>
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