This year GFAN Africa joins the world in commemorating World AIDS Day on December 1st, 2021, HIV continues to threaten the world forty years after the first AIDS cases were reported.  We have never been more mindful of the need to unite our efforts and raise awareness of the plight of the many Africans affected by HIV. 

On World AIDS Day, we hear the call for an urgent end to the inequalities that fuel AIDS and other global pandemics. We risk missing the 2030 target for ending AIDS, a COVID-19 pandemic and a spiralling social and economic crisis if we do not act boldly against inequalities. Not that a lack of knowledge or tools to defeat AIDS is holding the world back, but structural inequalities that prevent proven solutions for HIV prevention and treatment.

As we commemorate World AIDS Day, we also celebrate the 20th Anniversary of The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. A 20-year partnership with the Global Fund, which has saved over 44 million lives. Our celebration, a 6-month 20 country Torch Caravan brought together communities, civil society and governments to share their experiences and the impact the investments have had on their lives.

We call on you to join us across Africa and the world, to light a candle on the eve of World AIDS Day, Tuesday, 30th November or on Wednesday, 1st December. Upload your images to World Aids Day Candle Lighting. 

Once you have done so, we ask that you share your photos with us. We will collect all the images and share the collective efforts here. 

Together, we can end AIDS. Let’s work together to make an impact.