Ahead of World AIDS Day on 1st December, we are inviting employers to book one of our workplace education sessions to spread awareness of the facts around HIV – and most importantly, to help break the stigma.
In an era in which businesses are going the extra mile to hit targets on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), HIV education is a no-brainer. The business community has a massive opportunity to help beat the social exclusion faced by Northern Ireland’s 1300+ people who live with HIV.
Our service users tell us that the stigma of HIV carries a mental health burden that far outweighs the physical effects of the virus.
It shouldn’t have to be this way in 2023. A great deal of the negative public attitude to HIV is based on outdated, inaccurate and harmful misconceptions.
At Positive Life, we believe that public education and awareness are absolutely vital to break down the stigma.
Simply by bringing people up to date on modern HIV treatment; the true reality of living a full and healthy life with the virus; and how HIV is – and is not – transmitted, we could make such a powerful difference, turning ignorance into understanding and acceptance.
At a human level, the reality of this is feeling included rather than excluded: what a powerful personal impact that would have for so many people and their families. We don’t tolerate this type of bias or ignorance in other parts of society, and that’s why Positive Life keeps driving hard to create better public understanding of HIV.
World AIDS Day is on 1st December. The Positive about HIV workplace sessions are available to businesses of any size.
To find out more, or to book a session, contact Lea Dickson at Positive Life: lea@positivelifeni.com or call 02890 249268.
You can show your support by wearing our iconic red ribbon, or simply by supporting us on social media on 1st December. Thank you.
