Official figures report that in Jan-Oct 2007, 18,039 people in the city were tested for HIV at government testing centres. Of these, 12.27%tested positive. These figures exclude the thousands of people already living with HIV in Pune, along with those who are as yet unaware of their HIV+ status.
Launched in November 2006, Wake Up Pune is a coalition of NGOs corporate companies, local businesses and interested individuals. We also have a number of local supporters including Extentia, Cerillion , INOX, E-Square etc. The coalition works towards spreading awareness about HIV and AIDS in the city of Pune, India.
Why young people?
Traditionally HIV AIDS awareness has been centred on ‘high risk groups’ amongst the lower socio-economic groups e.g. truck drivers, commercial sex workers and the uneducated.
However, with over 33% of all new HIV infections occurring in the age-group 15-29, Wake Up Pune understands and acknowledges the need for youth-centred HIV awareness to address vulnerability among young people arising from lack of accurate information and low risk perception.
We have in the past conducted awareness workshops at several educational institutes such as St. Vincent’s School, BMCC college, ILS, Wadia’s. We also successfully ran HIV & AIDS Awareness events at several inter-college fests last year including one at Pune University MBA department and at Bhartiyam 2009 at Bhartiya Vidya Peeth, Katraj.
What is Take10!
The Take10! Campaign is a new youth initiative launched by Wake Up Pune Coalition this July with support from Staying Alive Foundation, MTV Global Networks. It is a completely youth-led campaign that gives young people 10 simple ways to join the fight against HIV in Pune city. The campaign provides a space to learn about HIV in Pune and other related issues particularly of the stigma and discrimination faced by people living with HIV in the city. But the campaign doesn't stop there. It furthers the awareness and learning by turning it into opportunity for action through small projects on awareness through creative media such as Film, Theater, Creative Writing, Cricket, Photography etc.
The future is too important to be lost under the burden of unnecessary ignorance, denial and discrimination that don't help the situation at all. We must face this together and be the change we want to see!!
Learn about HIV! . Get Tested! . Break the silence! . Write ! . Get Artistic! . Click A Pic! . Shoot A Film! . Play Cricket! . Theatre! . Support Positive Living! . Fight Stigma and Discrimination! .
- Being HIV POSITIVE means, being positive about awareness, education and support of people living with HIV -
I worked with the brilliant team as Assistant Campaign Co-ordinator as well as running Awareness bootcamps, Sex and Sexuality discussions, Field and Outreach Visits, Kiosks, plus heading the Art and Photography projects as well as Online, Social Media and Creative components.
I learnt a lot and it was a great experience being part of such a movement.
Reality is very good earthing in today's world.
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