Christians are among religious leaders being encouraged to get tested for HIV in an effort to encourage others to do so, under a campaign launched by the World Council of Churches on 1st December – World AIDS Day.
The ‘Leading by Example: Religious Leaders and HIV Testing’ campaign, which is being launched at thw WCC’s Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, Switzerland, is part of global efforts to increase the number of people receiving HIV testing – a factor described as “vitally important” in the effort to end the threat AIDS poses to public health by 2030.
Figures from UNAIDS show that as of June this year, 18.2 million people globally – less than half of all those people living with HIV – were receiving treatment. Campaigners say that one of the first steps in improving this figure is to increase the number of people who are aware they are HIV positive by overcoming the stigma attached to getting tested.
Francesca Merico, HIV campaign coordinator for the WCC-EAA (Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance), said that to end HIV and AIDS, “we have to overcome the stigma of HIV testing”. “By getting tested for HIV, you aren’t making a statement about morality – you’re taking care of your health.”
Rev Dr Nyambura Njoroge, coordinator of the WCC ecumenical HIV and AIDS initiatives and advocacy, said that faith leaders have a lot of influence in their communities. “We are leaders,” she said. “I am hoping that many religious leaders will go for testing, and that people in the congregations will also follow.”
The WCC is sharing the format of the service which will be held in Geneva so local churches can mark World AIDS Day in their local communities.
~ www.oikoumene.org/en/what-we-do/religious-leaders-and-hiv-testing
