UNAIDS Asia-Pacific 
Photo credit: Thomas Pouchin https://www.flickr.com/photos/pouchin/
Shibuya ward in Tokyo is famous for its iconic crossing, which when the traffic lights turn red, turns into a sea of pedestrians surging forward from all sides. Now, the trendy neighborhood is making headlines for a landmark decision. On 31 March, the ward’s assembly passed an ordinance that recognizes same-sex couples, becoming the first local authority in Japan to acknowledge such partnerships.
During a business trip to Asia, UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassador, Victoria Beckham, took the opportunity to raise awareness about the AIDS epidemic. In meetings with business leaders, she urged them to increase private sector involvement in the response to HIV to help end the AIDS epidemic by 2030.
The World Economic Forum announces leaders of the future
BANGKOK, 17 March 2015—The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) congratulates UNAIDS National Goodwill Ambassador for China and television personality, James Chau on his selection to the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders (YGLs) class of 2015.
In the lead up to International Women’s Day, UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director Jan Beagle joined a group of women living with HIV in Auckland, New Zealand, to hear about their experiences. The meeting was one of the regular meetings of Positive Women, a support organization for women living with HIV and their families. The group works on raising awareness of HIV in the community through educational and anti-stigma programmes.
At the Cricket World Cup 2015, cricketing champions show their commitment to raise awareness around HIV and break down stigma and discrimination
AUCKLAND/GENEVA, 5 March 2015—Players and officials at the International Cricket Council (ICC) Cricket World Cup 2015, being held in Australia and New Zealand, are raising awareness around HIV in efforts to eliminate discrimination and increase solidarity around ending the AIDS epidemic. Thirteen World Cup matches, including the final on 29 March, are being dedicated to THINK WISE, a partnership between the ICC, UNAIDS and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), which uses the spirit of cricket to support global efforts to end the AIDS epidemic.
“Bowl Your #THINKWISE Message” is a social media challenge that supports THINK WISE, the global cricket AIDS partnership led by International Cricket Council (ICC), UNAIDS and UNICEF. The partnership aims to stop stigma and discrimination towards people living with HIV and encourage greater awareness about HIV prevention. As part of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, THINK WISE has teamed up with cricket champions like ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Ambassador and Sri Lanka’s batting legend, Kumar Sangakkara.
“Bowl Your #THINKWISE Message” asks cricket fans around the world to join Kumar in spreading important messages about HIV using the power of social media.
ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Ambassador Kumar Sangakkara asks fans to support #THINK WISE campaign
The International Cricket Council (ICC) today launched a new edition of its HIV awareness campaign, THINK WISE in partnership with the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). During the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 in Australia and New Zealand, cricket stars will unite to support the initiative, which has been active since 2003.
“Me Hijra, Me Laxmi “– a book about the life and times of Indian transgender activist Laxmi Narayan Tripathi – translated from Marathi into English. The book is being released at the World Book Fair in New Delhi on 19 February, 2015. UNAIDS conducted an interview with Laxmi and her mother.
UNAIDS: Your book is being released around Valentine’s Day, did you chose that date for a reason?
Laxmi: I really wanted my book to be released on Valentine’s Day as this is a day of love and my book is about a life of love. It’s a love story, which begins with my family. I was born the eldest son of an orthodox Brahmin family in Thane in Maharashtra, India. I was a sickly child and very effeminate. People would laugh at me and call me names.
UNAIDS Asia-Pacific 