Honourable Adviser Major General Matiur Rahman breaks Iftar with APLF Champions and advocates of UNAIDS Bangladesh. |
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Dhaka October 9, 2007: UNAIDS Bangladesh held their Leadership Meeting with their APLF champions at a local hotel over Iftar. The programme aimed to brief the champions and advocates fighting against AIDS on two major issues in AIDS in Bangladesh today namely role of media and gender equity to fight against AIDS. The programme was graced by Runa Laila, Alamgir, Shykh Seraj, Bibi Russell and Kafil Muyeed all of whom have already committed under MoU and joined Bangladesh leaders and social activists as the spokespersons to endorse the work of the Asia Pacific Leadership Forum on HIV and AIDS (APLF) by becoming its champions in Bangladesh. |
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| There were also key focal persons of HIV field present in the programme including Line Director, Programme Manager and Deputy Programme Manager of National AIDS Programme, representatives of the UN agencies and bi-lateral agencies. |
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Two spokespersons and advocates of UNAIDS Bangladesh delivered their talks on the occasion. Mr. Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, Convenor of National Media Forum on HIV and AIDS and Editor of Daily Observer, Bangladesh briefed on Media and HIV in Bangladesh. Dr. Sultana Kamal, Advisor of APLF issues for UNAIDS and Executive Director of Ain-O-Shalish Kendra and the former advisor to the care taker Government spoke on gender and HIV issues in Bangladesh. |
| The chief guest and UNAIDS Champion Maj. Gen. Dr. A S M Matiur Rahman (Retd), Honourable Adviser; Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Water Resources; Ministry of Religious Affairs of Government of Bangladesh spoke on HIV and Leadership on the occasion. He stressed on the World Experience that clearly shows significant advances can only be achieved when leaders are committed. Honourable Advisor then added that leaders do not necessarily mean that those in the highest offices. In fact much of the best leadership is demonstrated by civil society members. He then urged the APLF Champions and leaders of Bangladesh to deliver on their promise to AIDS. |
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Bangladesh is no longer considered a low HIV prevalence country as it reached at a critical moment in the course of its AIDS epidemic. It is estimated that there are 13,000 HIV-positive people in the country and that HIV prevalence in the adult population is less than 0.01%. However, the country's vulnerability is very high, and young people – especially young girls -- are in the middle of it. |
The Asia Pacific Leadership Forum Initiative on HIV and AIDS (APLF) is a South Asian initiative that was established in 2002 to respond to the commitment for strong leadership on HIV and AIDS issues agreed at the first United Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) on HIV and AIDS in New York in July 2001. APLF supports and strengthens political and civil society leadership at country, sub-regional and regional levels to take action to reduce the spread and impact of the AIDS epidemic in the Asia Pacific region. |
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For more information please contact:
Lazeena Muna, Ph.D.
Social Mobilisation and Partnerships Advisor
APLF Focal Person
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IDB Bhaban (8th Floor) Tel: 880-2-8124051
E/8-A, Begum Rokeya Sharoni Tel: 880-2-8118600-6 (ext.2615)
Sher-e Bangla Nagar Fax: 880-2-8113196
Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh Email: munal@unaids.org |
