Since 1988 the international community marks the International Day of fight against AIDS. Traditionally, every year, as of December 1, thousands of messages are launched to promote responsible behavior of each individual to stop the spread of HIV infection.

As of end of 2009, it is estimated that 33.3 million of people are living with HIV worldwide; 15.9 million are women. Daily are still occurring 7000 new HIV infections. Eastern Europe and Asia is the only region in the world with the HIV epidemic on the rise, the number of people living with HIV almost tripled between 2000 and 2009; only in our region 1.4 million were living with HIV in 2009.

Globally the leading cause of death among women of reproductive age is HIV/AIDS. Women are particularly vulnerable to HIV infection due to a combination of biological factors and gender-based inequalities. In most societies, women, young women and girls face power imbalances, unequal opportunities, discrimination and violations of their human rights, including widespread violence inside and outside of the home. In addition, women and girls commonly carry the burden of caring for the sick and for orphaned children.

Nearly 30 years into the HIV epidemic, HIV programmes and policies do not sufficiently address the specific realities and needs of women and girls, or fail to respect and protect their human rights. Addressing gender inequality as a human right and development imperative is necessary not only for social justice but also for achieving universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support.

The WAD theme for 2009-2010, the topic of World AIDS Day is "Many Lights for Human Rights". The access to prevention, treatment, care and support is a fundamental right and part of the response to HIV and AIDS. UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon underscored in a statement the importance of the human rights in the response to HIV and AIDS and mentioned that if rights of people living with HIV are respected in the countries, less new HIV cases are registered, less requests for ARV treatment and less deaths.

In the Republic of Moldova, as of October 1, 2010, there was a cumulative number of 6.240 HIV cases. Since 2002 the HIV epidemic process is characterized by an increase in heterosexual mode of transmission, feminization of the epidemic and geographical spread in all administrative units of the country, including rural areas.

In order to mark World AIDS Day, besides other activities, an Award Ceremony was organized as of November 30, 2010, the second consecutive year, for outstanding initiatives of behalf of people and communities which demonstrate involvement and leadership in reducing the spread and the impact of AIDS at national level.

The red ribbon is a global symbol of solidarity PLHIV. Red Ribbon Award was given out based on the contest organized by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) in Moldova, World AIDS Campaign (WAC) in Moldova and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Moldova. The contest, developed during the period of October 22 - November 25, 2010 and was open to all citizens of the Republic of Moldova, through nominalization of individuals or institutions/organizations both governmental and non-governmental involved in the national response to AIDS. Individual/organization which accumulated the majority of nominations was awarded. Nominations were done through www.aids.md and through written forms. The winners of the award are as it follows:

• Individuals who showed involvement in the national response to HIV/AIDS and outstanding attitude toward people living with HIV/AIDS
  1. The best health worker that provides services to PLHIV at the local level – Svetlana Popovici, National Centre of HIV Prevention and Control – 47.2%

Valentina Stepanenco – 25.4%

Stela Rusu – 9.7%

Fiodor Borgan – 6.4%

Eudochia Toncoglaz – 5.1%

Svetlana Cerlat – 3.8%

Others – 2.4%

 

1. The best social worker that provides services to PLHIV at the local level –

Xenia Postolachi, Association Zdorovoe Budushee – 35.6%

Valentina Leca - 24.5%

Svetlana Melniciuc – 15.1%

Ala Iatco – 12.4%

Ina Biriucova – 6.7%

Antonina Zavricico – 3.8%

Others  – 1.9%

 

1. The best representative of local or central administration who contributed to the national response to HIV / AIDS –

Diana Doros, Ministry of Labour, Social Protection and Family– 24.3%

Veaceaslav Batîr – 15.7%

Aliona Serbulenco – 14.7%

Irina Serdiuc – 10.6%

Stefan Gheorghita – 9.8%

Otilia scutelniciuc – 8.7%

Svetlana Arkadieva - 7.6%

Nicolai Dudoglo – 5.4%

Others – 3.2%

 

1. The best activist of the national response on HIV/AIDS –

 Alina Tacmelova, Association Zdorovoe Budushee – 33.2%

Ala Iatco – 17.2%

Ruslan Poverga – 16.1%

Denis Fatescu - 14.1%

Ludmila Untura – 10.2%

Alexandrina Iovita – 7.8%

Others – 1.4%

1. Best religious representative who contributed to the national response on HIV/ AIDS –

Serghei Gorschii, Church Cuvintul Credintei – 36.9%

Parintele Anatol – 25%

Octavian Moşin – 20%

Nicolai Trandafilov - 10%

Others – 8.1%

 

1. The best representative of the media who has contributed to the national response on HIV / AIDS –

Elena Pahomova, Publika TV – 35.3%

Victoria Tataru – 20.8%

Ana Racu – 17.2%

Veaceaslav Dolgov – 15.1%

Irina Lavrova – 12%

Elizaveta Rotari – 8.7%

Others – 7%

 

• Organizations which are mostly involved in the national response to HIV/AIDS and demonstrate outstanding attitude toward people living with HIV/AIDS
• Best organization conducting HIV prevention activities among young people –

ATIS, Bălţi– 38.3%

Dance 4Life – 31.3%

BIAZ GUL – 14.8%

Zdorovoe Budusee – 8.1%

New Life – 6.3%

Others – 1.2%

1. Best organization conducting HIV prevention activities among most at risk groups –

 NGO “Youth for Right to Live”, Balti - 33.4%

UORN – 24.6%

Credinta – 15.8%

Zdorovoe Budusee – 10.2%

New Life – 9.3%

Others  – 6.7%

 

1. Best organization providing psycho-social services to people living with/affected by HIV – NGO “New Life” – 33.8%

Zdorovoe Budusee – 22.6%

Respiratia a doua – 14.8%

TDV – 11.2%

BIAZ GUL –  9.8%

Others – 7.8%

1. Organization that has made the greatest contribution to achieving health rights among women in the context of HIV –

United Nations Joint Team on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) – 38.2%

Mamele pentru Viata – 21.6%

IDOM – 16.2%

Zdorovoe Budusee – 10.3%

TDV – 5.3%

ATIS – 4.6%

Others – 3.8%

 

1. Best private sector entity, which promotes and implements HIV/AIDS workplace policy – Shopping Center MallDova – 44.6%

Confederaţia Naţională a Patronatelor – 20.8%

SRL MN-DL – 19.6%

Orange – 11.2%

Others – 3.8%

 

Special Recognition “Red Ribbon” was awarded to Mr Valeriu Dobreanschii, doctor epidemiologist in Epidemiology Department of HIV / AIDS, National Center for Prevention and Control of HIV / AIDS in Republic of Moldova, for long lasting, outstanding involvement and results achieved in the area of HIV/AIDS in the Republic of Moldova.

On the first of December, in the biggest shopping center of the city – Malldova, an awareness action was organized by the young activists in HIV/AIDS, which came together to distribute informational materials, to inform people regarding HIV/AIDS. Youth were wearing t-shirts with slogan of the WAD 2010: Many lights for human rights! Also, they distributed red ribbons to visitors of the shopping centre. UNAIDS exposed best photos participating in a competition organized before on the topic of gender equality and HIV / AIDS.

Also, a press conference was organized on the 1st of December in MallDova Shopping Center. Journalists were provided with CDs and relevant information from the Red Ribbon Award event.