Global week of action is an innovative action of Peoples organizations around the globe; aiming to raise collective voices to fulfill commitment made by state and donor agency. On the ocassion, different programs are being carried out by different CBOs and organizations working on HIV/AIDS issues in Nepal. Furthermore, this week is regarded as an opportunity to empower the role of state and civil society. Similalrly, it creates pressure in support of women, children and people from the lower strata of the society, who are most vulnerable to HIV/AIDS. The main aim of this

celebration is to oscillate the civil society, CBOs, Media and other concerning sectors and to promote the principle of easy access of health facilities to all Last year, different organizations and NGOs of the Capital had collectively participated in this campaign. Hence, the decision of celebrating the event every year and promoting participation of people and organizations of all class and strata of society has been formulated.

Under the coordination of CMF/APACHA, the following organizations have been involved in this campaign:

1. Asian People's Alliance for Combating HIV and AIDS (APACHA):
   APACHA is a people's network established by the people. It comprises of student organizations, women organizations, trade unions, lawyers, HIV infected women's network, indigenous and oppressed people's networks, media and youth networks. Conscious Media Forum acts as its secretariat in Nepal.
   
   
2. National Federation against HIV/AIDS (NAPN+):
   This is the national federation of positive people in Nepal. Over three dozens community based organizations of positive people are part of it.
   
   
3. Network of NGOs against HIV and AIDS (NANGAN):
   Over 142 organizations working against HIV in Nepal are member of this network.
   
   
4. Different INGOs, working against HIV on rights based approach, including Action Aid Nepal, Lutheran World Federation, World vision International, CARE Nepal, Save the Children Alliance, among others were also part of this campaign.
   
   
5. APACHA Nepal acted as the main coordinator of this campaign and brought all these organizations at one place to take the campaign further. Conscious Media Forum, as the secretariat of APACHA, played an active role.
   
   
6. This campaign has also been initiated at Chitwan, Kaski, Kailali, Makwanpur, Parsa, Mahottari, Sunsari, Morang, Jhapa, Rupendehi, Parvat, Kanchanpur, among other districts.
   
   

Programs:

May 19, 2007

1. APACHA issued a press statement making public the programs of Global Week of Action.
   
   
2. On 19th May, a discussion and assessment program was organized at Federation of Nepalese Journalists, Parsa in central Nepal by Divya Yuva Club (DYC) and Arunodaya Yuva Club (AYC), among the journalists. In the program, journalists spoke about different aspects of HIV prevention and undertook to campaign through media to make the Government fulfill its 11 point commitment on HIV/AIDS prevention. The guest of honor of the program jointly organized by AYC and DYC was Sheetal Mahato, Narayani Zonal Representative of RSS while the chairperson of Federation of Nepalese Journalists, Parsa, Satrughan Nepal presided over the program.
   
   

May 20, 2007

1. 24th Candle Light Memorial Celebration
   
   

• Kathmandu
  
  

  The Candle Light Memorial Ceremony was celebrated at Basantapur on 20th May organized by FAITH, an organization of positive people. The program was organized on the occasion of 24th International Candle Light Memorial in memory of the victims of HIV/AIDS. It was inaugurated by Padam Bahadur Chand, Director, National AIDS and STD Control Centre and Shibu Giri, Editor, HIV Post, by jointly lighting candle. Representatives of different organizations working collectively in the campaign against HIV and AIDS addressed the program.

  Shibu Giri of Nava Kiran Plus said since HIV prevalence rate is very high, this issue should be made an issue of common concern by all. He further said, "Earlier while talking of HIV/AIDS, Africa used to be mentioned but it might get replaced by Nepal in near future." "If the government does not take immediate action, HIV infection will be out of control", he added. Convener of National People's Action Committee against HIV/AIDS Manoj Gurung warned that they would be forced to take tough action if the government does not show seriousness towards the issue.

  General Secretary of Conscious Media forum, Gokarna Bhatt said that this issue should be raised as a national issue by all sectors including civil society as well as political parties. "One cannot say I am rich, I practice safe sex, I am not sex worker, I don't use drug, I am not vulnerable to HIV, and hence it is not the subject of my concern. Sooner than later, it will become a challenge to individuals, society and the nation", he said.

  Advocate Sitoshna Timsina demanded the Nepal Government should follow the 11 points signed by it during the 2001 UNGASS with political commitment. Bijaya Pandey of Recovery Nepal said the number of drug users is increasing due to untouchability, poverty, unemployment and political instability. "Drug users are fertile land for HIV. Hence, Nepal Government should pay its attention toward", he said. Former Miss Nepal Malvika Subba, who unintentionally reached the venue, informed that she would like to be aware of the issue and that she would like to work for the children.

  Over four thousand people, including Padam Bahadur Chand, Director, National AIDS and STD Control Centre, large number of positive people, journalists, social activists, civil society members and general public, participated in the program. Moderator of the program Miraj Khanal said that the program was organized to pressurize the government to be sensible on the issue and that the program will be a week long.

  
  
  
• Parsa
  
  The Candle Light Celebration Committee formed during the DACC meeting celebrated the Candle Day on 20th May at Clock Tower, Maisthan and Narayani Sub-Regional hospital in Birgunj. A rally of over 400 started from Clock Tower at 7:00 PM marched to Narayani Sub-Regional hospital with lit candles in hand. On the way, the rally also lighted candles at Maisthan. A truck decorated with informative posters travelled with the rally while information on HIV/AIDS was displayed through power point presentation on a big screen. Large numbers of people were informed on HIV/AIDS during the candle light ceremony, while the rally with lit candles in hand forced many more to give a thought about HIV/AIDS.
  
  
• Chitwan

  On May 20, Chitwan Active Group under ActionAid Project observed candle light day in memory of people died of HIV, during the weekly UNGASS program being celebrated worldwide from civil society organizations. The program concluded with lighting candle, taking a moment of silence in memory of the friends who are no more and wishing for the infected persons that they do not have to lose their lives untimely in the future and declaring that HIV positive people should get to live a respectable life and the

  A program organized to focus on points for UNGASS on 26 May

  government should pay attention to the 11 points that it has committed.

  Distributing request letter of UNGASS commitment on 26 May The program concluded with lighting candle, taking a moment of silence in memory of the friends who are no more and wishing for the infected persons that they do not have to lose their lives untimely in the future and declaring that HIV positive people should get to live a respectable life and the government should pay attention to the 11 points that it has committed. On May 24, 2007, Chitwan Active Group organized an interaction, where 25 persons participated including journalists and representatives of different organizations. As per the conclusion of that interaction, on May 26, 2007, Chitwan Active Group organized a rally from Lions Chowk to Pulchowk in Narayangarh. They distributed an appeal to different organizations, government offices and stakeholders describing the status Staffs of Chitwan Sakriya (active) Group distributing request letter of Nepal on commitments made at UNGASS 2001 and the 11 points commitment.

  
  
• Pokhara (Western Region)
  
  

  International Candle Light Memorial was celebrated in Pokhara in memory of those who have lost their lives due to AIDS and wishing long life to the people living with HIV on the third Sunday of May by Asha ko Saathi. Personalities from different partner organizations, AIDS network, DACC and different government organizations, World vision international Pokhara were present in the program. Senior doctor of Western

  Regional Hospital, Dr. Buddhi Bahadur Thapa and Medical Superintendent Nanda Prasad Sharma among others were also present at the program that begun at 7PM at the premises of Western Regional Hospital. Candles were lighted on the occasion. Facing the rain, participants burned candles with sentiment towards their late friends.

Morang :

On 20 May a sit in was organized in front of District Administration Office form 1 to 2 pm and at the end of which a memorandum was submitted to the CDO asking to immediately apply the 11 point declaration. HIV positive people and organizations working on the issue participated in the event. At Mahendra Chowk, in the heart of the city, painting event with information regarding Global AIDS Week Of Action, was

organized. Candle Light Memorial was held in the evening. Before Candle Light, a street play against HIV and AIDS was conducted at the same place. Over a thousand watched the 45 minutes long play.

FM Radio Talk Show

The Candle Light Memorial celebration during the Global Week of Action was broadcasted live on Narayani FM during the weekly program on HIV/AIDS awareness, Chetana, conducted by Divya Yuva Club, Biranchibarwa, Parsa. Chief of Public Health Office Ramesh Adhikari, President of Asha Milan Samuha Ramesh Gole, President of District NGO Coordination Committee Brij Kishor Patel, HIV/AIDS Program Coordinator of Divya Yuva Club Parsa Ramakant Patel, Women Rights Program Coordinator of Arunodaya Yuva Club Sabitri Pokhrel, Health Coordinator of CARE Nepal Yamnath Yogi and Pragati Poudel of BIJAM highlighted the objectives of Candle Day and Global AIDS Week of Action.

May 21, 2007

Discussion: Multiple Discrimination: Dalit, Ethnicity and HIV at Kathmandu

The discussion was organised by Indigenous NGO Federation at the Federation's hall. Journalists Rajkumar Dikpal, Gokarna Bhatt of Conscious Media Forum, Lawer Shitoshna Timsina and Rakshya Nepal President Menuka Thapa were the main speakers. They stressed the fact that the community, which lives in poverty, has low level of education and does not have access to information are more vulnerable to HIV.

Journalist Rajkumar Dikpal said that the risk of HIV is high where there poverty, unemployment and migration. "This is the fate of Dalits and Janajatis. The destination of employment for these communities is another country. The community has to suffer from twin discriminations. On the one hand they are fighting for their identity while on the other they have to fight against HIV"' he expressed. On the program, more than 20 civil society ethnic organizations took part. They urge for inclusive program against AIDS and express their solidarity with APACHA movement in Nepal.

• Discussion with Student Group at Local level.
  
  

  Similarly a discussion was conducted at local level in Birgunj with college students and teachers about "Their role towards the rights of HIV infected People". Arunodaya and Divya youth club organised the program. Lalan Tiwari of Club informed the participants about the UNGASS commitment made by Nepal Government. Students opposed all these financial support that comes under pressure or condition.

Morang

On 21 May, a street play at Rani area by Family Planning Association, one at ward no. 3 of Biratnagar by Taal Kalaa Kendra and two at Rangeli Bazaar by Red Cross were organized and pamphlets depicting 11 points were distributed.

Similarly, a free STI clinic at MAPS office was held for Rickshaw pullers of Biratnagar, jointly organized by Koshi Zonal Hospital, DAO, ActionAid Nepal, MRMG, NCDC and Family Planning Association. Informative pamphlets on UNGASS were also distributed.

May 23, 2007

Discussion:

Responsibility Political Party on AIDS issue: This discussion was conducted by Local community organization at Parsa district. Different political party representatives participated in the program. Organizer informs them about the UNGASS commitment and related Issues towards HIV.

Pokhara

On the third day of Global Action Week 2007, Aasha Ko Saathi, Community Support Group, Siddartha Club, Children and Women Empowerment Society and Naulo Ghumti Pokhara jointly organized an interaction 'Global AIDS Week of Action' at Prithivi Narayan Multiple Campus. Student leaders from different unions and students of sociology participated in the interaction, which had adopted 'Unity against HIV and AIDS, Our Commitment' as its main slogan.

Inaugurating the program, Dr. Bishowkalyan Parajuli, head of Sociology Department said that all students should assure their commitment towards alleviation of HIV on the occasion of GWA. He stressed the need of peer education among youth and students since wrong information still persist among them. In the program Ram Prasad Gyawali, executive director of Naulo Ghumti presented a paper and said that the government should by it at UNGASS. He stressed the student organizations should make the issue of HIV a political issue. Iman Raj Poudel, Joint Secretary of Free Student's Union Prithivi Narayan Campus committed to hold such mass awareness programs on alleviation of HIV after solving educational problems. He said that such programs should reach the community and target population with transparency. Laxmi Adhikari, an HIV infected herself, blamed the government for misguiding the HIV positive people by showing chocolates. She said this should be made a political issue. Rajani Koirala, Dilip Gurung and Ram Prasad Gyawali answered the questions put by students from different organizations including Aseema Thapa, Santosh Adhikari, Surendra Regmi, Bishow Lamichhane and Samjhana Rijal. Community Support Group program manager Dilip Gurung described the objectives of program while Rajani Koirala, program coordinator of Children and Women Empowerment welcomed the participants. The program which was chaired by Ukkal Bataju, President Aasha Ko Saathi, was facilitated by Siddartha Club Right Based HIV/AIDS Program coordinator Dilip Kumar Shrestha.

Morang

A discussion program on Global AIDS Week was aired on Koshi FM from 7:30 AM. Chief of Public Health Office, Medical Superintended of Koshi Zonal Hospital and program coordinator of DDO Distirct AIDS Coordination Department participated in the discussion. From 8 AM to 1 PM the same day, four classes including HIV/AIDS and AIDS week was conducted for 35 students of Nursing Campus.

Student "Some perspective on HIV"

The discussion was organized jointly with K&K College, A master level campus located in Kathmandu. In the program, Sithoshna Timsina from Nepal Environmental lawyers association, Gokarn Bhatt from APACHA secretariat, Krishna Bajracharya from National Association of PLA Network and College principal were the main speaker. Student from different faculty raised many questions about the political economy of AIDS. They were surprised to know G8 politics over AIDS Issue. They expressed their commitment to fight against injustice and AIDS. Program was facilitated by the Multi disciplinary Perspectives (MAPS); university Scholar Group. More than 200 students participated in the program.

Morang

A street play 'Bhool' was played at the ward no. 6 of Biratnagar, where pamphlets with information on UNGASS were also distributed. Over three thousands watched the play. Some participants said such plays were more useful than other programs for public awareness.

May 26, 2007

Kathmandu

Appeal published in Kantipur Daily

Appeal to all on the occasion of Global Week against AIDS was published in Kantipur Daily including the names of all organization involved in this campaign. The Content of Appeal is as below.

The youth which is the main force of nation building is falling prey to HIV infection due to poverty, gender and caste discrimination and violence. Hence HIV should not only be looked as concern of infected people but should be associated with social, economic and cultural aspects and social justice. The social structure, structure of state and norms and values prevailing in Nepal since long are the main reasons for HIV infection. We would like to remind that since policies are not formed or implemented on basis of this objective fact, it is affecting socially, economically and culturally.

Since HIV is directly related to Nepalese social structure, our program should also focus on building inclusive, equitable and rightful New Nepal. This would be possible only with access of all to health facilities, representation in constituent assembly and all other positions in terms of gender, caste, language, minority and risk groups. Therefore, we appeal for solidarity of all agencies, community, profession, class, cast and civil society for sensibility and solidarity towards the issues related to HIV and inform that Global Week of Action is being organized worldwide. This week can play important role in pressure building during the upcoming G-8 summit and remind them their commitments to support the poor countries in their fight against HIV. We would like to than all the participants and supporters of this campaign and announce the following concerning issues:

• To take special initiative in leadership development in all sectors ensuring meaningful participation of infected and affected people.
  
  
• To understand the economic-political aspect of HIV and show high political commitment to fight against it.
  
  
• To recognize the fact that violence against women is one of the major factors of HIV, hence to make arrangements for protection of women rights.
  
  
• To make immediate arrangement for education, employment and livelihood for children.
  
  
• To guarantee the infected people's right to live and make arrangement in all districts for access to treatment.
  
  
• To adopt a people oriented policy on the provisions of WTO that restricts access to treatment worldwide.
  
  
• To guarantee human rights of women, children, gender minorities and other communities, living with HIV and to ensure legal protection against discrimination and social and economic security for dignified life.
  
  
• To make such arrangements in fund mobilization, policies and programs against HIV that can ensure participation of all the concerned sides.
  
  
• To put forward concept based on means rather than medium for HIV prevention. To restructure education system, and adopt policy to put end to the economic and socio-cultural suppression of the communities, which is vulnerable to HIV due to poverty, unemployment, violence against women and other factors.

May 27, 2007

Kathmandu

Policy Discussion: HIV: Unfulfilled Commitments

The Global Week of Action jointly organized by different CBOs and organizations working on AIDS, concluded with a program in Kathmandu. In Nepal this week is observed as an opportunity to strengthen the role of State and NGOs, to promote principle of people's access to health facilities and for pressure building to ensure rights of people vulnerable to HIV infection.

In the program 'HIV: Unfulfilled Commitments', organized by Conscious Media Forum, APACHA, Nepal Environment Lawyers Association (NELA) and other organizations working on HIV issues, the participants stressed that if the privatization of health facilities and intervention of donor agencies are not stopped, it will have long lasting effect. Different speakers said the commitments made by developed countries are only limited to papers and that a greater part of support they provide return back.

Pointing to the fact only 10% of the donation reaching people, Prabodh Devkota, Convener APACHA said "they take back 40% of the amount and the remaining is distributed among the management and middlemen."

Referring to an organization 'PEPFAR' run by US President George Bush, Devkota told the rich countries are only prepared to support on their own conditions and interest. "Our need remains somewhere but the donation comes from somewhere else."They hesitate to support even Global Fund was established to provide unified fund", Devkota said. He accused the rich countries of investing more on wars and weapons while the people are dying without treatment. He said that the program is important for reminding the rich countries their commitments in the upcoming G-8 summit and pressurize them to amend their policies. He said, "Similar to the case of Melamchi, the web of donors interests are tightening around HIV. He highlighted the fact that because of conditional loans provided to undeveloped countries by the World Bank since seventies, these countries are going to be bankrupt and that these countries have to face 70% loss in the next 10 years. He said that the provisions of World Bank are frightening.

Gokarna Bhatta, General Secretary, Conscious Media Forum exposing the fact that HIV has became major subject of political economy of rich countries added 12000 are getting HIV infection per day worldwide and 8000 are dieing of the infection. He said "the youth major part of labour force is going to finish". But still it is not looked from the angle of poverty and social discrimination." Bhatta informed that the industrialized countries, mainly G-8 countries, had committed that they would contribute 0.7 percent of their national income and to make the global fund for combating HIV, Malaria and TB worth $ 9.5 billion but till now there is only 5.9 billion in the fund. Recalling that the G-8 countries had declared the goal of worldwide access to HIV prevention and treatment facilities between 2005 and 2010, he said that two third of the infected people have not even heard about treatment facilities till mid 2007. "Government of Nepal has not allocated even one percent budget for HIV prevention. The donors cannot go to villages. Hence the village people of remote areas dies because of lack of basic medicines", Bhatta said disclosing the fact that villages of Doti are being emptied due to HIV.

Basant Chhetri of positive federation complained that although lots of assistance is coming to Nepal for prevention of HIV, but no party is interested in helping the target population. He demanded immediate end to politics by donors and state, and end hatred and discrimination by the society towards infected people. Chhetri said ''Big organizations instead of cooperating are dividing us. There are over a thousand organizations working on HIV but when our friends died at Teku hospital without treatment, nobody came to help. If HIV prevention is limited to proposals and reports, we can go to any extent to combat it." Chhetri blamed that the state policy of HIV prevention is donors focused and has put the affected in injustice. "We did not found the donors focused on necessities. It is not that they wanted to help us but we fought and brought donations" Chettri said. He informed the federation is assisting over 60 organizations currently. He further said that the infected persons have associated democracy with treatment and by ensuring equal participation of men and women in all the committees of federation, they have been able to teach the society a good lesson.

In the program organized on the occasion of UNGASS, deputy director of STD and AIDS control centre Dr. Rajendra Pant accepted that not much is being done. "We really could not work. Until it becomes common concern of all Nepalese, expectations success could not be attained', Dr. Panta said.

There are over 72000 HIV positives in Nepal. Although not all the infected people need treatment or ARV, 5000 are in immediate need of medicine. However, the government till now could provide treatment only to 708 persons.

The facility of CD4 counting is available only at 4 or 5 centers and the cost is too high. Hence the infected at villages could not even have proper test. In private clinics, the ARV costs about Rs. 2000 per month.