Miss Universe 2015 Taking Bold Action on HIV advocacy

Posted on August 16, 2017 By unaidsap

Manila, Philippines). Miss Universe 2015 and UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador for Asia and the Pacific, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach is now taking bold action on advocacy for HIV. On 9 August, the model and actress followed through on a promise she delivered when she launched her ambassadorship and conducted a public HIV test for the first time in the Philippines. She also unveiled her Project Progressive Information Awareness campaign–simply dubbed as the PIA Project, which aims to inform young people about HIV and help end the AIDS epidemic, not only in the Philippines, but in the Asia-Pacific region.

Ms Wurtzbach conducted the HIV test before cameras in a mobile clinic run by the community organization LoveYourself in Kalayaan Hall in Taguig City, Philippines. This is the second time Ms Wurtzbach has undergone a public HIV screening, but the first time she has done so in the Philippines – a commitment she announced at her launch. She is a strong advocate for people knowing their HIV status and is encouraging other celebrities to join her in promoting testing.

PIA Project

The PIA project will focus on spreading information on HIV and Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE), and promoting self-worth among the youth.

“With the PIA Project we hope to see an increase in HIV awareness, spread love for people living with HIV, and make HIV testing among Filipinos a normal part of their health and wellness routine,” said Ms Wurtzbach. “I believe we can strengthen our bonds and achieve our shared goal of ending AIDS in the Philippines, Asia-Pacific and the Universe.”

The PIA Project will primarily encourage knowledge augmentation by developing an awareness campaign for young people, particularly from key populations. The campaign will share relevant information materials on HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, SOGIE, and sexual health and wellness.

Based on data from the Philippines’ Department of Health’s Epidemiology Bureau the number of new HIV cases in the Philippines per day has steadily increased from one per day in 2007 to 29 per day in 2017. Over the years, the number of new HIV infections has grown among young people from key populations, including men who have sex with men and transgender people. For May 2017 alone, the Philippines reported 1098 newly diagnosed people living with HIV nationwide. Of these, 325 or roughly 30% were among youth aged 15-24 while 554 or more than half were from the 25-34 age group.

Asia-Pacific is lagging behind

While the Asia-Pacific region has made substantial progress in responding to HIV, the region is now lagging behind the global trends, and young people from key populations are at particular risk of HIV.

“The HIV movement among young people that Pia is lighting up here in the Philippines will resonate around the Asia-Pacific region,” said Eamonn Murphy, Director, UNAIDS Regional Support Team for Asia-Pacific. “Her incredible energy and commitment is sparking critical conversations, raising awareness among young people on the need to take control of their health. With her huge social media presence, Pia is helping to revitalize HIV prevention efforts in the region.”

Details of the PIA project

“We have seen more Filipinos, including women and young men, getting screened for HIV in our clinics. That’s a good thing — but clearly a lot more people still need to know their HIV status,” says Ronivin Pagtakhan, Executive Director of LoveYourself, which offers free and confidential HIV screening in its Mandaluyong and Manila clinics. “We’re excited to help Pia in her PIA Project to give HIV the national attention it deserves and erase the stigma surrounding the virus.”

The PIA Project aims to influence positive behavior change through five key initiatives.

#Live2LUV Campaign – A social media campaign in partnership with UNAIDS, LoveYourself, Taguig City and other partners to raise mainstream awareness on HIV, AIDS, STI, SOGIE, and sexual health and wellness.
PIA Video Campaign – Youth-themed short and comprehensive videos on HIV and SOGIE to be disseminated to local government units, senior high schools, colleges, universities and companies. These videos will also be uploaded as part of the #Live2LUV Campaign to encourage everyone to access free, confidential and fast HIV testing in community centers and social hygiene clinics.
#LoveGala – Pia has assumed the role of ambassador for the Love Gala, Asia’s Premiere Charity and Awards Gala to be held in Taguig City on 1 December 2017 on World AIDS Day. This is in partnership with the Love Gala Secretariat, a coalition of government, non-profit, business and socio-civic organizations united to stop the spread of HIV and honor champions who are helping to uplift the lives of people living with HIV. The Gala will hold a benefit dinner and the first-ever Ripple Awards, a multi-sector recognition event for those who have created ripples of positive change in the community.
Multi-platform Service Delivery Referral System (Project PITCH) – a long-term project to be piloted in Metro Manila, then across the Philippines, and Asia and the Pacific. This will address the concerns of key populations on the accessibility of existing healthcare services. Project PITCH is a mobile-friendly website where people can search for sexual and SOGIE services provided by the government, community groups and private sector in their locality, and, more importantly, safe spaces or community centers for them to join. The project will also offer geo-tagging and geo-locating services, appointments and online-based frequently asked questions and assistance.
Policy Advocacy – Lastly and the most challenging is PIA Project’s advocacy on policies which will enable young people, particularly from key populations to access HIV and other key health services.

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Photographs available here after 3pm Manila time: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/oivf9lgt1s3ztng1a8uuv/AAC-3xYuZALnSZV9ZljFmRGMa?dl=0&oref=e&r=AAdVJADacxjVpYWv6YFWmz-1xcdDnbHveJT6k9K-nTRMqhLFa21irOigBPAj79kqAVQbb6dz6Q79_MTbIX9MC2gamsFan2dyNv3GoXoRfqRc6B2nRmQ-sp8DyR8aGZI2KFOwkLzb-ROJNvgEGfJ742uoqKwLcGhvkJL1Q6hKmfqKUA&sm=1

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UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

LoveYourself

LoveYourself is a non-government organization providing free and confidential HIV testing, counseling, education, and recently treatment in the Philippines. It currently has two clinics: LoveYourself Anglo in Shaw Boulevard near Starmall in Mandaluyong, and LoveYourself Uni in Taft-Gil Puyat near the LRT station in Manila. These clinics are open on Wednesdays-Saturdays (12:00 nn-7:00 p.m.) and Sundays (9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.).

Love Gala

As Asia’s premier charity and awards gala, Love Gala will bring together a coalition of individuals and multi-sectoral organizations united in stopping the spread of HIV and ending AIDS. Love Gala will feature the Ripple Awards which will honor outstanding advocates who have contributed greatly to the cause, a concert headlined by artists who are also HIV and AIDS awareness advocates, and a mini auction that will raise funds to further HIV and AIDS education.