HIV/AIDS Stand Up for Human Rights

Launched on December 10 2003 (Human Rights Day), this colourful, interactive cartoon for young people is designed to raise awareness and mobilise action to tackle HIV/AIDS. The United Nations Office for the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the United Nations Joint Programme for HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), and the World Health Organization (WHO) hope that the publication will empower young people to promote human rights in relation to HIV/AIDS, raise awareness of the key linkages between HIV/AIDS and human rights, demystify the disease, and combat the myths and taboos associated with HIV and AIDS. The cartoon is part of a global campaign to encourage youth action to combat HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination and other human rights violations.

Using language and characters designed to be accessible to young people worldwide, the cartoon explains how HIV is transmitted, and how individuals can protect themselves. It sets out to combat HIV/AIDS-related discrimination by illustrating how a lack of awareness about HIV/AIDS can contribute to stigma, discrimination, and human rights violations against people affected by HIV/AIDS - for example, by their peers and health professionals. It shows how discrimination based on gender can hinder people's ability to protect themselves from HIV infection and also prevent people from accessing needed treatment, care, and support.

WHO, UNAIDS, and OHCHR are distributing the cartoon widely in printed and in electronic format - click here to download it in PDF format - and encouraging its use as a tool for education and training. The cartoon is currently available in English.