BraveHeart Initiative for Youth & Women joins the world to commemorate the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial today, the 15th of May, 2018. The event is being held at Fugar, Etsako Central Local Government Area, Edo state in collaboration with Civil Society Ogranisations, health-care facilities, organisations of people living with HIV and other key populations in Edo North.
The memorial serves as a campaign to increase awareness about HIV and AIDS. It also helps to break down the barriers and stigma against people living with HIV in our communities. Memorial candles are also lit in remembrance of those who we have lost to the epidemic.
” Stigma and Discrimination against those living with the HIV virus has become a recurrent challenge. This is further worsened by the complacent nature of successive governments in addressing critical issues. Edo State must as a matter of urgency priotize resources for HIV programming and coordination as well as foster a better relationship with the HIV Community of Practice. Edo citizens need to display better empathy and genuine care for our brothers and sisters; mothers and fathers; and most especially our children living with HIV/AIDS.” , stated Ms. Priscilla Usiobaifo, the Founder of BraveHeart Initiative.
BraveHeart Initiative is a youth led, youth focused, non-governmental organization dedicated to developing and empowering young people between the ages of 10 and 25 years through information and skills training to make informed choices, grow into self-actualized adults capable of contributing towards a better society. HIV is taken as a core sexual and reproductive health issue and BraveHeart Initiative is committed to contributing towards ending HIV in Edo state.
