International AIDS Candlelight Memorial

May 16, 2011 — “At first I feared. I feared to tell the people in the community because of the stigma around it [HIV],” said Lilly Arach, a Ugandan advocate for people living with HIV/AIDS and CEDPA alumna. “But…there was a fear within me that if I don’t tell people then I will die silently. …When I went and told the people that I’m HIV positive, I got a relief immediately. And I started living a normal life.”

The stigma that surrounds HIV can be as devastating as the virus itself, but, as Lilly can attest, having the courage to step forward to raise awareness and educate a community goes a long way towards combating discrimination.

The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial was established in 1983 as a community mobilization effort to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS. The memorial is a grassroots celebration in which advocates, like Lilly, organize candlelight vigils, plays, street fairs or education campaigns to educate, combat stigma, and recognize and remember those who have been affected by HIV.

This past Sunday, May 15, marked the 28th anniversary of the memorial. The theme this year, “Touching Lives,” was chosen to honor the many people, like Lilly, who have been affected by the virus.

Advancing Women's Leadership and Advocacy for AIDS Action

Through global efforts, the number of people infected with HIV was reduced by 19 percent, but 2.6 million people were still newly diagnosed last year. Even with these numbers, less than 50 percent of governments have budgets for programs to combat stigma and discrimination.

Grassroots efforts like the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial, with the help of advocates like Lilly, are educating their communities where governments fall short.

After she was diagnosed, Lilly formed a women’s drama troupe with her widows support group. “We started moving to the nearby villages to perform these dramas, dramas on HIV,” she explained.

Organizing and performing the dramas gave Lilly the courage to reveal her status to her own community. In 2002, she disclosed her HIV positive status on the local radio station.

At first, most of the reactions she got from the community were negative. But, this did not deter Lilly. She joined the Kitgum District HIV/AIDS Committee and continued her outreach. Slowly, her community is adjusting and people are reacting differently.

To strengthen her skills as an activist, Lilly attended the Advancing Women's Leadership and Advocacy for AIDS Action workshop. The Ford Foundation-funded workshop was part of an initiative implemented by a consortium led by CEDPA and included the International Center for Research on Women,International Community of Women Living with HIV/AIDS and National Minority AIDS Council. The goal of the workshop was to equip and empower a cadre of women from around the world with the knowledge and skills to strengthen and lead the global response to AIDS.

The workshop reached 140 women from 46 countries throughout Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, the United States and the Pacific. In addition to the workshop, CEDPA designed a HIV/AIDS leadership training manual for advocates in the hopes of reaching more women leaders who can educate their own communities.

Find out more about candlelight memorials and read more of Lilly’s story.

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