Zero Discrimination Day is commemorated annually on March 1. The day celebrates the right of everyone to lead a complete and productive life while living the life in dignity. Zero Discrimination Day focuses on creating awareness on and promoting inclusion, peace, compassion and most importantly, a movement for change. The international day encourages creation of a global movement of solidarity to eliminate every form of discrimination. The theme for this year’s Zero Discrimination Day is “Save lives: Decriminalize”.
UNAIDS, through 2023’s theme, aims at emphasizing how the decriminalization of major populations and people living with HIV, rescues lives and helps in promotion of the end of the AIDS pandemic. Criminal laws that focus on major populations and people living with HIV is a violation of their human rights and an exacerbation of the stigma people encounter. These laws endanger people through creation of barriers to the required support and services for protection of their health.
Many countries around the world still practice criminalization.
In 2021, ambitious law reform targets were set by the world to enable removal of criminal laws that undermine the HIV response and leave key populations behind. Having considered decriminalization as a significant element in the HIV response, countries around the world agreed on a commitment that by 2025 below 10 percent of countries would possess punitive legal and policy environments that negate the HIV response. Although there have been a number of encouraging reforms, the world is not yet close to achieving the target.
Today, there are 134 countries openly criminalizing and prosecuting HIV exposure, transmission or non-disclosure; 20 countries practice criminalization and prosecution of transgender persons; 153 countries ensure criminalization of at least one form of sex work; and 67 countries now practice criminalization of consensual same-sex sexual activity. UNAIDS added that 48 countries still have restrictions placed on entry into their country for people living with HIV; 53 countries enforce mandatory HIV testing; and 106 countries request parental consent to carry out HIV testing for adolescents.
Nigeria considers it a criminal offence to discriminate against PLWHIV.
Also importantly, UNAIDS asserts that criminalization brings about discrimination and structural inequalities, robbing people of the assurance of living healthy and fulfilling lives. Criminalization hinders the elimination of AIDS, as a result, it must be stopped to save lives. Criminalization is not done to reduce the risk of contacting HIV for marginalized groups because criminalization increases the risk of contacting HIV. Criminalization is said to increase vulnerability. Therefore, communities advocate for change even as they help to ensure a solid movement for decriminalization.
Nigeria enacted the HIV and AIDS (Anti-Discrimination) Act, 2014 (“the HIV and AIDS Act”) which makes provisions that prevent and protect the Human Rights of people living with the HIV virus from all forms of discrimination and stigmatization particularly in the workplace, institutions, communities and other fields of human endeavors. It is considered a criminal offence to discriminate against any person living with HIV or AIDS . It is mandatory that the confidentiality of the health and medical records of any person living with HIV or AIDS is always protected.
Day promotes equality before the law in UN countries.
Additionally, Zero Discrimination Day is usually celebrated by the United Nations (UN) and other international organizations. Commemoration of the day helps promotion of equality before the law and in practice in all member countries of the United Nations. The first celebration of the day was launched by UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé, on February 27, 2014 alongside a major event in Beijing and was held on March 1, 2014. The day is recognized by organizations that are concerned about eliminating discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS.
Related Link
UNAIDS: Website
Zero Discrimination Day UNAIDS, 2023. – This year’s theme focuses on decriminalization of people living with HIV. – Express your point of view.
There no good reason for any country or set of people to discriminate any body living with HIV/AID and I like Nigeria law because it again discrimination of any kind.
We shouldn’t discriminate against anybody suffering from HIV/AIDS. It is very important we ensure they are protected.
This day honors the right of every individual to have a full and productive life while maintaining their dignity throughout their journey through life.
On Zero Discrimination Day, the focus is on raising awareness about and encouraging promotion of inclusiveness, peace, compassion, and most importantly, a movement for change.
The international day serves to promote the formation of a global movement of solidarity aimed at doing away with any and all forms of prejudice.
We should work for the decriminalization of significant populations as well as persons who are currently living with HIV, as this saves lives and contributes to the promotion of the end of the AIDS pandemic.
Violation of human rights and a worsening of the stigma people face result from criminal laws that target big communities and persons living with HIV.
Despite the fact that there have been a number of positive changes, the globe is not even close to accomplishing the goal at this point.
Communities work toward bringing about change while also contributing to the development of a robust movement toward decriminalization.
The purpose of this global day is to rally people throughout the world to end all types of prejudice.
Discrimination should not be with people with HIV mixing together in the society should happen not treating them separately and have them protected
Anti discrimination should be encouraged as it is criminal offence to discriminate against any person living with HIV or AIDS. No to discrimination!
Working toward the legalization of major populations and people who are presently living with HIV saves lives and helps move us closer to the end of the AIDS pandemic.
Criminal statutes that specifically target large groups and people living with HIV violate human rights and exacerbate stigma.
It is a good thing to always celebrate zero Discrimination Day UNAIDS, 2023 to serve as a reminder to everyone that no one living with HIV should be in discriminated in any part of the world.
The annual commemoration of Zero Discrimination Day UNAIDS on the 1st of March is a memorable one. It will always remind us not to discriminate against anyone with HIV. The law here in Nigeria has kicked against anyone trying to discriminate.
Zero Discrimination Day UNAIDS, 2023. Nigeria is country of character people do ask they like and many is afraid normally. So discrimination is part of Nigeria we just need create more awareness
The emphasis is on promoting inclusivity, peace, compassion, and most importantly, a movement for change, and increasing awareness of these issues.
The emphasis is on promoting inclusivity, peace, compassion, and most importantly, a movement for change, and increasing awareness of these issues.