World Aids Day 2023: Landmark Buildings Illuminate in Red Across Ireland

Landmark buildings in Ireland will light up red on Sunday. This event marks the return of the Glow Red campaign for World Aids Day, organized by HIV Ireland. The campaign focuses on the stigma faced by women living with HIV. It aims to raise awareness and understanding to combat discrimination.

Over 60 iconic sites, including Kilkenny Castle, the Rock of Cashel, and Dublin’s Convention Centre, will participate in the campaign. Rebecca Tallon de Havilland, a TV presenter and activist, leads the initiative. She expressed pride in the women sharing their HIV stories and highlighted society’s judgment towards them.

Victoria Roscow, a campaigner from Manchester, also features in the campaign. She was diagnosed with HIV while pregnant, but advancements in treatment ensured her son was born HIV negative. She cannot transmit the virus to her husband.

Steve Lynam, chairman of HIV Ireland, stated that stigma is a major barrier to ending the HIV epidemic. The Glow Red campaign aims to promote inclusion, empathy, and progress for those affected by HIV.

Research from the University of Galway found that 40 percent of healthcare workers worried about interacting with HIV patients. Despite progress in HIV prevention in Ireland, stigma negatively impacts the quality of life for many individuals.

HIV Ireland has developed services for transgender communities and has linked over 90 Ukrainians to care. Stephen O’Hare, executive director of HIV Ireland, emphasized that campaigns like Glow Red are vital to ending new HIV transmissions by 2030. He urged healthcare providers, policymakers, and communities to work together to eliminate stigma.