UNAIDS and the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) have teamed up to shine a light on ending violence against women in conflict settings and to empower them to remain free from HIV.

Together with DKPO, UNAIDS will work with UN Peacekeepers to distribute inflatable solar-powered lights to women and families as a way of initiating dialogue on the complex and sensitive issues of sexual and gender-based violence against women and HIV. This will be part of the outreach work DPKO and UN Peacekeepers conduct in communities as they secure peace around the world.

Conditions of violence and instability in conflict and post-conflict situations can exacerbate the spread of HIV. UN Peacekeepers, because of their extensive contacts with local populations, act as agents of positive change, particularly with respect to preventing sexual and gender-based violence against women and girls and providing psycho-social services to mitigate the impact of violence.

The initiative is part of UNAIDS and DPKO’s commitment to implementing the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1983, adopted in June 2011, which calls for increased efforts to address HIV in peacekeeping missions. The Resolution also calls for HIV prevention efforts among uniformed services to be aligned with activities to end sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict settings.

UNAIDS is partnering with the creators of the inflatable solar-powered light, LuminAID, who will be donating up to 1000 lights through their “Give Light, Get Light” campaign. LuminAID will donate one light for every “Give Light, Get Light” package purchased during the coming months. The initiative coincides with the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence.

Watch and promote this video for the World AIDS Day on December 1.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wLE1gr24vE&feature=share&list=UUXtZ8h-0HJLL6vRQLsC6h7g

Organize your own ways of shining a light to end violence against women and prevent HIV AIDS during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence.