Unicef is running a campaign highlighting the issue of HIV pass-on during pregnancy, labour or delivery, due to the lack of diagnosis and treatment for many pregnant women around the world. Around 1,400 children under 15 are newly infected with HIV every day, mostly due to mother-to-child transmission, which is actually very easily prevented. It's an issue about adequate healthcare and access to medication for women; there's a drug that halves the risk of a baby getting HIV for its mother and it costs as little as $1.70, yet many cannot get it.The campaign is called Unite for Mothers, and here's a bit more from their website:
Mother’s Day (10th May) celebrates the strength and trials of motherhood. For millions of women in the developing world the risk of HIV and AIDS is a reality, and pregnancy poses new concerns. Far too few pregnant women are tested for the virus and far too few are treated. With no diagnosis, and no treatment, the mother’s baby is at risk of contracting the disease too. Testing the mother and getting treatment to both mother and child is essential for their survival.Action options include:
This Mother’s Day, we want you to join UNICEF in reminding New Zealanders and our Government that every mother who is tested and treated for HIV and AIDS may one day see her child grow up healthy. The best gift a mother could have.
You can find out more about preventing mother-to-child HIV transmission here[PDF] and there's a radio interview about the campaign here [at 2:48 on the counter].
- Signing the Unite for Mothers petition asking our Government to respond to the HIV and AIDS epidemic in the Pacific region
- Knitting or crochetting a square to contribute to their baby blankets
- Helping to purchase HIV test kits for mothers to be
- Participate in or support the rally at Parliament on Sunday 10th May
Great chance for a bit of craftivism! Big thanks to readers Nikki and Marianne for emailing me about this, and sorry it has taken me awhile to write about it.
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