ABOUT THE DOES HIV LOOK LIKE ME? CAMPAIGNS
It is clear that many young people feel disconnected from the HIV and AIDS epidemic. The virus continues to spread faster than the relief efforts, and target groups are not being reached. The full involvement of a global network of young people living with HIV or AIDS (YPLHIV/A) has yet to be established. Prevention campaigns continue to decrease, media and political coverage have declined, and more young people are living longer with HIV. We are at a crossroad in the epidemic, and our response today will write the future of tomorrow.
The DOES HIV LOOK LIKE ME? campaign is expanding to communities and countries around the world. The campaign ambassadors, YPLHIV/A are between the ages of 15 and 29, they are human rights leaders standing up to flight misconceptions, stigma and inequality with their faces, voices and individual stories. YPLHIV/A’s ownership of the project will ensure its sustainability and its relevance in specific country contexts.
The DOES HIV LOOK LIKE ME? campaign production in each country begins with a three day leadership training. The training provides a diverse group of YPLHIV/A the space for open dialogue, tools to develop messaging, learn advocacy skills and the opportunity for peer-to-peer sharing of experiences, support and empowerment. The leadership training culminates with a debriefing conversation outlining next steps and desired messaging for the in-country campaign with the ambassadors, the Does HIV Look Like Me? International staff and the in country coordinators.
With the ambassadors vision and objectives are solidified the DOES HIV LOOK LIKE ME? campaign production begins, including video interviews with ambassadors, production of a high impact print campaign, ambassador registration in the DOES HIV LOOK LIKE ME? online community, and partner representation on the international DOES HIV LOOK LIKE ME? website. The campaign is produced with a diverse group of local YPLHIV/A, who are identified, recruited and supported by local partners.
The campaign educates the general public and shows YPLHIV/A that they are not alone. DOES HIV LOOK LIKE ME? is proud to accomplish both of these goals and allows the viewer to see the similarities and differences of those living with HIV around the world. The powerful and personal campaign features only young people but impacts people of all ages.
As we pass 25 years of this epidemic we recognize it is time for an approach that features young people. Fear-based campaigns that have dominated the global response to HIV have made people in society afraid of those living with HIV or AIDS. DOES HIV LOOK LIKE ME? is proud not to use fear, but instead corrects the misconceptions surrounding the lives of those living with HIV or AIDS. This helps to end stigma by encouraging communities to have open dialogue around HIV related issues.