Young people working to demand the implementation of programmes that put young people’s leadership at the centre of national HIV responses

From Brazil to Mexico young people in Latin America are busily coordinating their inputs to communicate a unified message in the upcoming regional universal access consultation to be held 1-2 March 2011 in Mexico.

The main recommendation young people in Latin America are proposing is the need to strengthen HIV prevention programmes for young people. Ricardo Baruch from GYCA Mexico, who has been assisting with the consultations says, “HIV prevention continues to be our main challenge. We want evidence-based strategies that respond to all youth, particularly gays, lesbians, trans and intersex youth, youth using drugs and youth doing sex work and others in extreme vulnerability.”   

The regional focal point for Global Youth Coalition on HIV/AIDS  (GYCA) in Latin America, Manuella Donato from Brazil, explained how they have been collecting input from coalition members, Youth RISE, Advocates for Youth, The Global Network of people living with HIV/AIDS (GNP+) and Positive Youth. Participating in the regional consultation is an important part of their strategy for youth engagement in the HIV response in Latin America. It is also part of a broader strategy to place young people at the centre of the upcoming United Nations High-level Meeting on AIDS.

The 2010 data from UNAIDS shows clear evidence that young people are leading the HIV prevention revolution by adopting safer sexual practices. However young people still face challenges in accessing youth friendly sexual and reproductive health services relating to HIV.

“The homophobia and machismo in Latin America is a major barrier to improve access to HIV prevention services and information for all,” notes Mr Baruch.

Young people in Latin America are also demanding the implementation of a comprehensive set of programmes that put young people’s leadership at the centre of national responses. They argue that such programmes should provide rights-based sexual and reproductive health education and services to empower young people to prevent sexual transmission of HIV among their peers.

They are working to achieve access to HIV testing and prevention efforts with and for young people in the context of sexuality education.  They are also advocating for the establishment of enabling legal environments, education and employment opportunities to reduce vulnerability to HIV.

Since the World Youth Conference in 2010 and the HIV and youth empowerment event organised on the side-lines of the conference, young people have participated in a series of national universal access consultations. Now they will voice their joint recommendations through Ms Donato as she delivers the opening statement during the Latin American regional universal access consultation in Mexico.

In line with the strategic direction to revolutionize HIV prevention within the UNAIDS Strategy, the UNAIDS Cosponsor agencies in Latin America have chosen the work with young people as one of their main priorities for 2010-12. Following the Mexico Declaration of sexual education for all, signed on 01 August 2008 by Ministers of Education and Health, the UN response in the region will focus on the development of HIV prevention and sexual and reproductive health policies and programmes for all young people.

UNAIDS Regional Director for Latin America, César A. Núñez emphasizes the importance of engaging young people in the response at all levels. “A partnership between young people, the national AIDS programmes, the UN family and bilateral partners will be crucial to respond to the vision of zero new infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS related deaths.”

Manuella Donato and her colleagues from Latin America are coming to the consultation ready to move the prevention revolution ahead. “We will mobilize our peers and motivate them to demand that their rights be fulfilled so that we can achieve universal access to prevention, treatment, care and support by 2015”.

(From left to right): Lucinha Araújo, founder of the Viva Cazuza Society, holding an HIV-positive newborn;H.E. Festus Mogae, the former President of Botswana; UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé; and Nobel Prize Laureate Dr Mohammed ElBaradei. Credit: UNAIDS/Martino

UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé and a delegation of internationally-known leaders and personalities—including H.E. Festus Mogae, the former President of Botswana, and Nobel Prize Laureate Dr Mohammed ElBaradei—are visiting Brazil to mobilize support and dialogue around HIV prevention globally.

Approximately one third of all HIV-positive people in Central and South America live in Brazil. Although the HIV epidemic in Brazil is relatively stable, there were as many as 70 000 new HIV infections in 2009.  

A dialogue with civil society

“With current new HIV infection rates outpacing progress in treatment programmes, a prevention revolution is more important now than ever to make the AIDS response sustainable,” said Mr Sidibé, in a discussion with Brazilian civil society organizations on Monday in Rio de Janeiro.

According to Ms Gabriele Leite, founder of the non-governmental organization Davida, an association of sex workers, recent studies in Rio de Janeiro show that condom use among sex workers and their clients is high, at 92%. “Surveys have shown that HIV prevalence among sex workers in the country is falling,” she added. 

Richard Parker, President of the Brazilian AIDS association ABIA, said that women and young people are increasingly impacted by HIV. Poor and marginalized people, as well as those living in rural areas of the country, are also especially vulnerable, he said.

“If there is a single challenge in the national AIDS response, it is the challenge of sustainability,” said Mr Parker, echoing comments from other participants in the discussion. “With a strong economy, Brazil is no longer a funding priority among major international development agencies,” he said.

Protecting children affected by AIDS

While in Rio de Janeiro, the UNAIDS delegation also visited Viva Cazuza Society, a non-profit organization that cares for AIDS orphans and children living with HIV. Children at the centre are provided with round-the-clock medical care and benefit from a range of educational and social services. There are currently 20 HIV-positive children living at the centre.

Viva Cazuza was established in 1990 by Lucinha and João Araújo in memory of their son “Cazuza,” a Brazilian singer who died of AIDS-related causes.  “AIDS is contagious—in quotes and not,” said Lucinha Araujo, while greeting the UNAIDS delegation. “After the death of my son, I couldn’t bury my head in the sand and watch other children die.”

Viva Cazuza works within schools in Rio de Janeiro where the children study to reduce prejudice and discrimination. Members of the organization also offer free lectures in the community focused on HIV prevention.

Over five days, delegates from 112 countries—including 25 000 youth and representatives from government, civil society and the United Nations—shared ideas on young people’s involvement in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The role of young people in improving the state of the world took centre stage at this week’s World Youth Conference in Leon, Mexico. Over five days, delegates from 112 countries—including 25 000 youth and representatives from government, civil society and the United Nations—shared ideas on young people’s involvement in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

With an estimated 40% of new HIV infections occurring among people aged 15-24, a youth-centered approach to the AIDS response will be critical to meet MDG 6—halting and reversing the spread of HIV—and to ensure efforts are sustained in the long term.

In a video message to young delegates, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé said that young people had the power to shape a future with zero new infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. “Each of you is a driving force for change and development in your own countries,” he said. “Together you are an incredible movement that is shaping the future of the world.”

Of the 33.4 million people living with HIV worldwide, some 5 million are young people. An estimated 2500 young people become newly infected with HIV each day. The epidemic has taken a particularly devastating toll on the lives of young women, who account for 66% of infections among youth worldwide.

Empowering young people to protect themselves from HIV represents one of UNAIDS’ ten priority areas, with the overall goal of a 30% reduction in new HIV infections by 2015.

At a joint workshop on HIV and young people, UNAIDS and UNFPA introduced a new “business case” outlining successes to date in the HIV response among youth and areas for improvement. Through the workshop, young delegates were invited to offer their perspectives on the relevance and application of the business case at the national level. Evidence-based information and HIV services, including sexual and reproductive health, were highlighted as critical to reducing infection among young people. Many participants voiced concern over reaching young people with effective HIV prevention messages.

“As we are still young and exploring, we may get into risky behaviors,” said Rodriguez Gastelum, a youth participant from Mexico who attended the workshop. “Correct information on HIV is the first step—that will protect us.”

Less than 40% of young men and women have access to accurate knowledge about HIV transmission—far short of the 95% target set in the UNGASS Declaration of Commitment for the year 2010. In developing countries, excluding China, only 30% of young men and 19% of young women benefit from comprehensive information on HIV.

Despite challenges, there are signs of progress. A new study from UNAIDS has reported a more than 25% drop in HIV prevalence among young people in 15 countries heavily affected by the AIDS epidemic.

“Simply put, young people are leading a prevention revolution all over the globe,” said Dr. César Nunez, Director of the UNAIDS Regional Support Team for Latin America, in a health-focused session at the conference. “The empowerment of young people has led to changes in sexual behavior. Young people are choosing to have sex later, with fewer partners, and they are using condoms.”

Earlier this month, the UN launched the International Year of Youth, an initiative designed to increase youth participation in global development issues and enhance inter-cultural dialogue and understanding across generations. At a launch event in New York City, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged young people across the world to look beyond the borders of their own countries: “Engage with the world. Become a global citizen,” he said. “We are the leaders of today. You are the leaders of tomorrow.”

A recent visit from a UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board (PCB) delegation to El Salvador stressed the importance of addressing stigma and discrimination in the response to HIV in the country and commended the government of El Salvador for its leadership on these issues.

"We congratulate the efforts by El Salvador in its national response to HIV under the leadership of the government with active participation by civil society," said Dr Marijke Wijnroks, AIDS Ambassador from the Netherlands, the current PCB Chair. “We are particularly impressed with the openness on sensitive issues such as comprehensive sexuality education for young people and stigma and discrimination of key populations like MSM, transgenders and sex workers”.

The field visit, that took place from 10-14 May 2010, coincided with the launch of a Presidential Decree that prohibits any discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in the public sector. The Secretary of Social Inclusion, Dr Vanda Pignato, who is also the First Lady of El Salvador, officially opened the National Directorate for Sexual Diversity during the visit, and stressed that “this Presidential Decree represents the obligation of the State in addressing the issue of discrimination."

The PCB field visit provided an opportunity for Board members to be exposed to the realities of the epidemic and the work undertaken by UNAIDS, together with its national and international partners, on the ground. Dr Menna Ould Tolba, Delegate of the PCB and Coordinator of the AIDS Response in Mauritania said "After participating in this field visit, I am now convinced of the importance of working with and supporting populations at higher risk of HIV infections."

During their visit, PCB delegates met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Hugo Martínez; Minister of Health, Dr. Maria Isabel Rodriguez; the Chief of HIV/AIDS Department, Ana Isabel Nieto; and Chief of the Tuberculosis Department, Dr. Julio Garay. They also met the Vice President of the Republic of El Salvador and Minister of Education, Salvador Sanchez Ceren and discussed with Ombudsman Oscar Luna various human rights issues in the context of the country’s HIV response. The delegates also met with representatives of civil society, including people living with HIV, MSM, sex workers and transgender communities.

Participants in the field visit took the opportunity to explain the ten priority areas under the UNAIDS Outcome Framework (2009–2011), highlighting the tenth area related to men who have sex with men (MSM), sex workers and transgender populations. According to UNAIDS, El Salvador has the highest HIV prevalence rate amongst men who have sex with men (MSM) in Central America at 17.8%

Minister of Health Dr. Rodriguez said, “HIV in our country is an important cross-sectional issue and we must explore every option in order to produce tangible results.”

PCB delegates also stressed the importance of linking sexual and reproductive health with the HIV response in meetings with the Ministers of Health and Education. Cases of HIV positive adolescent mothers with babies born with HIV were particularly highlighted during their visit to the Maternity Hospital of San Salvador. They also watched how an HIV prevention training guide is being implemented at the Canton Milingo School. Some key HIV prevention issues such as sex education in schools and stigma and discrimination have traditionally encountered resistance in the Salvadorian society. Delegates witnessed country efforts to implement programmes that address such issues while respecting the sensibilities of communities and individuals based on their religious views. "Education is the vaccine we already have against HIV,” said Delegate Dr Ibra Ndoye, Executive Secretary of the National AIDS Council, Senegal.

Whilst overall impressed with the quality of the programmes, delegates expressed concerns about the sustainability of HIV prevention programmes targeting key populations. Most of these programmes are implemented by NGOs and are heavily reliant upon external financing. With donors increasingly moving away from the region, sustainability could be at risk.

The delegates asked the government to ensure follow-up and implementation of the Ministerial Declaration that was adopted at the first meeting of Ministers of Health and Education to Stop HIV and STIs in Latin America and the Caribbean in July 2008 in Mexico City during the XVII International AIDS Conference. "We encourage El Salvador to share its experiences widely and hope to see the country play an even stronger leadership role in the regional response to HIV" said Dr César Antonio Núñez, UNAIDS Regional Director for Latin America.

UNAIDS is guided by a Programme Coordinating Board which serves as its governing body. The PCB has representatives from the five regions of the world, the UNAIDS Cosponsors, and nongovernmental organizations, including associations of people living with HIV.

El Salvador, which is currently the Vice Chair of the PCB, will assume the Chair for the year 2011. This move comes at a vital time for the AIDS response when stakeholders will come together to assess progress made towards achieving universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support.

Hon. Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, Minister of Health of Guyana launching the national HIV prevention, principles, standards and guidelines. 24 March 2010.

On Wednesday 24th March 2010, Guyana unveiled the country’s new national principles, standards and guidelines for the prevention of HIV as part of its efforts to achieving universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support.

“By 2020 Guyana must be well on the road towards elimination of HIV as a major public health problem,” said Dr Leslie Ramsammy, Guyana’s Minister of Health.

The principles, standards and guidelines are the result of two years of work under the leadership of the Ministry of Health’s National AIDS Programme, in close collaboration with UNAIDS. Guyana’s HIV prevention quality standards are fully in line with the UNAIDS Executive Director’s call for a global “prevention revolution” to reduce the number of new HIV infections.

“Prevention is a key priority. We need to construct a compelling prevention narrative. One built upon equality and human rights. One that recognizes the importance of responses that are strategically tailored to local epidemics, that include biomedical, behavioural and structural approaches, and that meaningfully involves beneficiaries,” said UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé.

According to UNAIDS, the national HIV prevention principles, standards and guidelines represent an important step forward for intensifying HIV prevention activities in Guyana, and should serve as a model for other countries in the region. The guidelines feature a scorecard for rating the quality of prevention programmes being implemented.

The Brazilian Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transvestite and Transsexual (LGBT) Association (Associação Brasileira de Gays, Lésbicas, Bissexuais, Travestis e Transexuais or ABGLT) recently launched an “LGBT Communication Manual” aimed at communication professionals, students and teachers to reduce the use of inappropriate language that prejudices, or perpetuates misunderstandings about the millions Brazilian LGBT people and their supporters.

The manual was created with the support of UNAIDS as part of ABGLT’s “Allies” Project. The Brazilian LGBT movement produces a number of tools as part of their goal to educate Brazilians about the human rights of sexual minorities. The tools reinforce the message that every citizen plays an important role in building a fairer, more just society for all regardless of sexual practice.

Highlighting common misconceptions about LGBT practices and identities that continue to be seen in the media is one of the themes of the manual. For example, a man may have sex with men without considering himself homosexual, bisexual or gay. He may have homosexual practices, but continue to identify himself as a heterosexual man.

For this situation, health professionals have coined the phrase “men who have sex with men” or MSM, to identify the sexual behaviour of a person rather than labelling sexual orientation or gender identity.

The manual also reminds professionals that a person should never be identified in media product (including news story, video, or photograph) as being HIV positive unless they formally agree in advance.

Social norms still barrier to diversity

“The initiative of elaborating a manual like this is extremely crucial and we welcome it and congratulate the ABGLT for such community service,” said Mr Pedro Chequer, UNAIDS Country Coordinator in Brazil.

Mr Chequer notes that Brazilian legislation does not punish people for their sexual orientation or gender identity, and on the contrary, it states and reinforces the rights of all citizens.

“In addition,” said Mr Chequer, “the very First National Conference on LGBT people was convened by the President of Brazil in 2008. However, unfortunately social norms still make it difficult for people to deal with diversity and respect to all. We do hope that this manual may mean an additional seed of cultural and behaviour change, for the better”

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transvestite and Transsexual communities in Brazil

The Brazilian Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transvestite and Transsexual Association was created in 31 January 1995 by 31 founding groups. Currently it is a national network of 220 organizations and is the largest LGBT network in Latin America.

The resolution of the 1st ABGLT Congress in 2005 reads: “Vulnerability to HIV and its consequences are heightened by violations of the right to life, freedom, information, education, health and equality (non-discrimination)... Reducing vulnerability is related to increased active citizenship, whereby in addition to having rights and duties, citizens take an increasing part in public matters.”

The Sixth Central American Congress on HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections (CONCASIDA) will take place in San Jose, Costa Rica from 1-5 March 2010 with the theme "Youth: for my right to know and decide."

CONCASIDA, a multi-sector event which aims at sharing experiences, scientific information and research, takes place every two years in a Central American country. This year, the congress aims to focus its attention on youth vulnerability of Central American countries due to the lack of sexual education and the increase in infections within this age group. CONCASIDA also aims to analyze the social impact of this on Central American nations.

A 2008 study carried out by the United Nations Population Fund and UNICEF with support from UNAIDS showed that the majority of young people in Costa Rica were sexually active at the age of 16. The study also highlighted that there was lack of HIV information and knowledge among Costa Rican youth.

The study shows that in Limón only about 28% of the young people interviewed know how to use a condom correctly whereas in Puntarenas the percentage drops to about 17%. Furthermore, in both provinces, more than 50% of the adolescents find that asking a partner to use a condom could be interpreted as a sign of mistrust. Finally, 43% in both provinces think that a young girl carrying condoms in her purse is a woman with a “doubtful reputation.”

This year’s main themes of the congress include care, control and surveillance; prevention and promotion; risk factors for social and psycho-emotional; human rights and legislation; and monitoring and evaluation of HIV and AIDS commitments.

During the congress, different stakeholders will present the result of their work and search alternatives for more effective ways to respond to the AIDS epidemic.

Campaign materials with HIV prevention messages will be sent to 800 000 households in Brazil.
Credit: M. de Sousa Silva

For the first time in Brazil, post offices will join efforts to prevent new HIV infections. The local take on the global campaign “Post Offices Fighting Against AIDS”, was launched Tuesday 9 February in a post office in Brasilia, the capital of the country.

Brazil, with an estimated 730 000 people living with HIV, is one of seven pilot-countries participating in this global initiative launched in 2009 by UNAIDS, Universal Postal Union (UPU), International Labour Organization (ILO) and UNI Global Union. The objective is to mobilize the network of 660,000 post offices around the world in the AIDS response.

The campaign will span more than 12 000 Post Offices in Brazil. Materials includes leaflets, posters, post-cards and a special letter with HIV prevention messages – all adapted to the Brazilian context.

For example, the international slogan “Your post office cares” has been adapted to include an explicit prevention message: “The post offices are fighting against AIDS. What about you? Protect yourself: use condoms.”

The Minister of Health, Mr. José Gomes Temporão stressed the confidence and recognition of national post offices in Brazil and reinforced the commitment of the Brazilian government to the fight against prejudice, discrimination and to the consolidation of an inclusive and human rights based policy in the response to AIDS when speaking at the launch.

In the campaign’s first phase, materials will be distributed in the Federal District–where Brasilia is located–and in the priority regions of Amazonas and Bahia, states were UNAIDS and other UN agencies implement a joint programme to support the HIV response.

José Gomes Temporão, Minister of Health, and Carlos Henrique Custódio, the National Post Office President, at the launch of the post office HIV prevention campaign. Brasilia, 9 February, 2010.
Credit: M. de Sousa Silva

The Brazilian effort goes beyond the international initiative by delivering around 800 000 letters with HIV prevention messages to households in pilot regions. So for the first time ever in the country, families will receive HIV prevention information at home, through a special mail service delivery.

During the launch event, UNAIDS country coordinator for Brazil Mr Pedro Chequer said, “The post office, with its wide reaching distribution network, offers a strategic entry point to reach the general population and post office staff with HIV prevention messages. A multi-sectoral approache like this campaign will strengthen the AIDS response in the Brazil”.

For the campaign, a special web site has been launched containing information on AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections, details about the campaign with all campaign materials available for download and distribution. The web site includes a quiz for evaluation of personal HIV risk and a “contact us” section, coordinated by UNAIDS.

A special stamp has also been developed, containing the symbol of the campaign. The President of the National Post Offices in Brazil, Mr. Carlos Henrique Custódio highlighted the importance of such an initiative to be launched just before Carnival, when HIV prevention initiatives are reinforced by the government.

Pedro Chequer, UNAIDS country coordinator for Brazil spoke of the importance of a multi-sectoral approach in the AIDS response. Brasilia, 9 February, 2010. Credit: M. de Sousa Silva

In a second phase of the campaign, the International Labour Organization will support the development of a toolkit for postal employers to inform their staff about HIV in Brazil.

The “Post Offices Fighting Against AIDS” campaign is a partnership between the Brazilian Ministry of Communications, the National Post Offices, UNAIDS, the Ministry of Health, ILO, UPU, UNI Global Union and the National Federation of Employees from Post Offices, Telegraphs and related enterprises. The first phase of this global campaign will reach postal customers and post office staff in seven countries,Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, China, Estonia, Mali and Nigeria.

Contact: UNAIDS Brazil – (55 61) 3038 9220 or imprensabrasil@unaids.org

Luis Agois President of the Peruvian Press Council, Renate Ehmer, UNAIDS Coordinator for Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia and Jorge Chediek, Resident Representative of the UN system at the launch of the new campaign.
Credit: UNAIDS/UNDP/CPP

In Peru, 76 000 people are living with HIV. While HIV prevalence in the general population is relatively low at 0.5%, the men who have sex with men and the transgender communities have been hard hit by the epidemic with an estimated prevalence of 10.8% and 32% respectively.

A range of complex social prejudices result in people living with the HIV being frequently subject to discrimination in the workplace and in wider society.

To counter stigma towards people living with HIV in Peru a new campaign was launched in November 2009; a joint initiative by UNAIDS, UNDP and the Peruvian Press Council.

The purpose of the multimedia campaign, entitled “An image against stigma and discrimination caused by HIV and AIDS”, is to create a supportive environment for people living with HIV, free of discrimination and fear.

Speaking at the launch, the President of the Peruvian Press Council Luis Agois noted the role media can play. “Our contribution is the broadcasting of this campaign, an initiative which has been enthusiastically joined by the press in general in Peru.”

Fear of social repercussions and the discrimination that might result from a positive HIV test, many Peruvians avoid leaning their HIV status according to Jorge Chediek, Resident Representative of the UN system, further jeopardizing their health. “As a consequence, they can’t access treatment; and HIV treatment in Peru is free.”

Renate Ehmer, UNAIDS Coordinator for Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia highlighted the extreme expressions of stigma and discriminations that result in violence, “hate crimes; when men and women are killed because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.”

“Estimates by civil society organizations reveal that an increasing number of hate crimes are taking place every year, most of which go unpunished,” Ms Ehmer continued.

The campaign brings together Peruvian celebrities and people living with HIV who appear on posters and brochures and distributed nation-wide.

The high profile participants include Javier Velasquez Quesquen, Head of the Cabinet of Ministers; Javier Villa Stein, President of the Judiciary; Oscar Ugarte, Minister of Health; Jose Antonio Garcia Belaunde, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Antonio Brack, Minister of Environment; Monsignor Bambaren, Nolberto Solano, football players, members of the music group Grupo 5 and comedian Carlos Alvarez as well as Economist Hernando de Soto.

Two short films have also been produced as part of the campaign and can be watched here:
An image against stigma and discrimination caused by HIV and AIDS vol 1
An image against stigma and discrimination caused by HIV and AIDS vol 2

New campaign to be broadcast by television across Brazil highlights rights of students, gay men, lesbians, people living with HIV, the Afro-Brazilian population, sex workers, refugees, transsexuals and transvestites and drug users.

Equal rights and a call to Brazilian society on the issue of the discrimination experienced daily by men, women and children in the country are the messages of a powerful ”Just like you” video campaign, launched 16 November in Rio de Janeiro, by UNAIDS in partnership with other United Nations agencies with the participation of civil society and the government authorities on human rights.

Ten thirty second films were shown during the launch, films that present a panorama of the reality faced by each population covered by the campaign – school students, gay men, lesbians, people living with HIV, the Afro-Brazilians, sex workers, refugees, transsexuals and transvestites and drug users. The films will be broadcast in Portuguese on television stations throughout the country. DVDs and CDs will also be distributed to health care facilities, schools and the National Business Council on HIV. The films are also available with subtitles in English and Spanish so they can be shown internationally.

The campaign launch ceremony was followed by a press conference, at the Palácio do Itamaraty with the community leaders who recorded the campaign messages as well as UN officials from UNODC, UNAIDS, UNIFEM, UNESCO, UNHCR and UNIC. Representatives of the Special Secretariats of Human Rights and of Policies in Promotion of Racial Equality, the Ministry of Education and civil society were also present.

“Just like you, I want respect,” still from one of the videos in the “Just like you” campaigne launched in Rio de Janeiro on 16 November, 2009.
Credit: UNAIDS

Human rights visibility

“Just like you” is a campaign against stigma and prejudice, giving voice and visibility to the human rights of people often overlooked by society in Brazil. The films communicate the messages of leaders of each of the discriminated groups.

The campaign is an initiative against human rights violations and inequalities in the areas of health, education, employment, public security and everyday life. It is an opportunity to raise the awareness of Brazilian society with regard to respecting the differences that characterize each of the social groups represented in the campaign, reaffirming equal rights.

Everyday stigmas and prejudices

Data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics reveal the racial and gender inequalities in Brazil through the disparity in average monthly income: white men earn on average R$ 1,200, considerably more than white women (R$700), twice that of black men (R$ 600), and three times that of black women (R$ 400).

The school environment is another example of resistance to diversity. A 2009 survey of 500 state schools done by Anísio Teixeira National Institute of Educational Research and Studies and Economic Research Institute Foundation, between 55% and 72% of students, teachers, head teachers and education workers showed a resistance to diversity and the greatest distance was seen in relation to homosexuals (72%).

Campaign signature

Prejudice manifests itself through discriminatory attitudes and practices, such as humiliation, aggression and unfair accusations merely because people belong to a specific social group.

The United Nations agencies in Brazil joined with a number of civil society groups for this equal rights campaign including ABGLT (Brazilian Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transvestite and Transsexual Association), AMNB (Association of Black Brazilian Women), ANTRA (National Articulation of Transvestites, Transsexual and Transgender Persons), the Brazilian Movement of People Living with HIV/AIDS and the Brazilian Network of Prostitutes.