Thu 18 Aug 2016 In: Our Communities View at Wayback View at NDHA
The Māori, Indigenous poverty, housing, addictions, incarceration and access to health services with out stigma and discrimination - mentioned in the UNGASS HLM Political Declaration as an issue for Indigenous Peoples - places Whānau living with and affected by HIV as a very vulnerable community. The misclassification and misidentified in data epidemiology continues to cause problems for us. “We’ve worked and lived along time with our community and we know our stories and our stories are very similar to many other Indigenous People around the world. The Red Ribbon Award acknowledges those stories and permits them to be heard Globally, we appreciate the regional and international committee that honoured us in this way.” This year, INA was one of two Indigenous Peoples organisations that received the Red Ribbon Award. The National Network of Indigenous Community in the HIV Response in Chile also received an award for achievement within SDG16 Just, Peaceful and inclusive Societies. “What this tells us is that UNAIDS is opening up to Indigenous Peoples whom have been hidden within the epidemic for many years, as a key population, as having an understanding of the Indigenous Voices within ending AIDS,” says Marama. “They have realised that they cannot End AIDS without us.” - 18th August 2016