Reportage

Calls for accountability and gender equality at World AIDS Day 2006 event in New York City

04 décembre 2006

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Photo credit : B. Hamilton

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, UNAIDS Executive Director Peter Piot, AIDS activist Lynn Murchison and Hunger Project President Joan Holmes took part in an event in New York to commemorate World AIDS Day.

Speaking at the event, the UN Secretary-General highlighted the importance of accountability – the theme of this year’s Worlds AIDS Day – by saying, “ Accountability requires every President and Prime Minister, every parliamentarian and politician, to decide and declare that “AIDS stops with me”.

Dr Piot gave a brief overview of the epidemic saying that the latest global AIDS figures give reason for concern and for some hope. He also highlighted the need for more attention to be brought to women and girls.

Ms Holmes took the opportunity to endorse the recent recommendation of the Secretary General’s High-Level Panel on UN System-wide Coherence for the creation of a new, unified and ambitiously funded agency for gender equality and women’s empowerment.

The event was chaired by Rev. Kevin Bean and attended by approximately 400 people. It was organized by The Hunger Project, UNAIDS and St. Bartholomew’s Church and co-sponsored by African Regional Youth Initiative, EngenderHealth, The Interfaith Center of New York, Islamic Cultural Center of New York, MaAfrika Tikkun, Mosque of Islamic Brotherhood, Muslim Women’s Institute for Research and Development, Population Council, World Council of Churches and World Council of Conservative Synagogues. Entertainment was provided by PG and Love Choir and Salah.