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The liturgy also observes the ongoing campaign “16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.”
According to the latest UNAIDS report on HIV, 39 million people globally were living with HIV in 2022, 1.3 million people have newly acquired HIV, and 630,000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses.
Vulnerable communities have a much higher chance of acquiring AIDS.
The liturgy reminds us that the world can end AIDS, with communities leading the way. Organisations of communities living with, at risk of, or affected by HIV are the frontline of progress in the HIV response. The prayers and reflections are a call to action to enable and support communities in their leadership roles.
A reflection asks: “In our congregations and our faith communities, what role do we give communities who are affected and are vulnerable to acquire HIV? Is their role in overcoming HIV acknowledged, affirmed and supported?”
As one prayer reads: “Give us new eyes for seeing the injustice you see, new ears for hearing the cries arising for help, new energy for doing your will, so that no one living with HIV remains forsaken, and no one, regardless of their origin or status, stays forgotten by those who have what they need.”
