UNICEF stresses on right knowledge on AIDS

UNICEF stresses on right knowledge on AIDSBhopal December 18, 2006 4:36:08 AM IST
Equipping youngsters with the right knowledge will help spread AIDS awareness and also accurate information regarding the dreaded ailment, says UNICEF State Representative Hamid El Bashir.

''Millions of children, adolescents and youth across the globe are in the path of the pandemic, at risk and in need of protection. Beginning with the family, the community, social workers, students and media professionals need to combat the spread of this disease,'' he said at a day-long workshop here, as per a release.

As part of the 'Unite for Children Unite against AIDS' drive and to help engage young people in an effort to prevent HIV/AIDS, the Makhanlal Chaturvedi University of Journalism, with support from the Madhya Pradesh State Aids Control Society (MPSACS) and UNICEF, organised the workshop with students of the Master of Journalism course.
Mr Bashir briefed the students about the campaign that was launched in October 2005 to mobilise voices on the impact of HIV/AIDS on children.

MPSACS Deputy Director Shradha Bose spoke on the issue of the three 's' -- stigma, silence and shame -- associated with the ailment and how, with an open mind, they could be overcome.
''Information imparted at this meet will help empower you with the right knowledge and you not only can contribute when you enter the profession, but also even now by talking about it with your peers in your neighborhood, college etc. You can play a role that is not just rhetoric but strong action,'' UNICEF Communication Officer Anil Gulati told the students. Gandhi Medical College Assistant Professor Brajendar Mishra explained the technical aspects and took the students through the history of the disease, the release added.
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