It’s week 8 in our countdown to World AIDS Day 2016. The Hands up for #HIVprevention campaign got off to a great start last week, with a focus on condoms and lubricants. We were really happy to see so many of you contributing to the special campaign page on Facebook and encourage you to continue to get involved there and through the special campaign page on unaids.org.

Today, we’re very pleased to share a special campaign message.  During week 8 of the campaign (Oct 10 to 16), the focus shifts to harm reduction. Look out for a series of features, videos, statistics, graphics and messages posted both on the special UNAIDS campaign page on unaids.org and on the 2016 World AIDS Day #HIVprevention page, accessible through the UNAIDS Facebook page.

And remember that your contributions and messages are central to the campaign, so we’d love to see and hear your thoughts on harm reduction programmes and services and what needs to be done to strengthen this pillar of HIV prevention.

This is how to do it.   

Submit:

• A photograph of a word or phrase written on the palm of your summarizing why harm reduction programmes are so important as a method of HIV prevention or what needs to be done to increase their availability.

and/or:

• A short video message (maximum 30 seconds) explaining why harm reduction programmes are so important as a method of HIV prevention and what needs to be done to increase their availability.

Your photos/video messages can be uploaded to the events page specially created for the 2016 World AIDS Day #HIVprevention campaign on the UNAIDS Facebook page. Here, you will also be able to post news about events that you are planning to hold for World AIDS Day. Please share your contributions on your own Facebook page too to help us get the message out.

You can find out more in the campaign brochure which you can find on the campaign page on unaids.org.

We look forward to seeing your contributions on harm reduction and thank you in advance for your support.