Former Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda Featured in New AIDS Prevention Campaign in Zambia
Former Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda is featured in several new AIDS prevention public service announcements promoting condom use, HIV testing and compassion for HIV-positive individuals in Zambia. The television campaign was created by Population Services International -- a not-for-profit organization that runs social marketing projects in more than 60 countries -- and it represents the first time a former head of state has been so "forthright" about condom use, according to a PSI release. In one of the commercials, Kaunda says, "My own son died of AIDS in 1986. There were some who thought I should remain silent about it. But Mrs. Kaunda and I decided to make this public. I tell you, if we are to win the battle, we must confront this problem openly." In other messages, Kaunda urges people to tell an HIV-positive friend that they "will always be there for them"; tells people to "use every tool at our disposal," including condoms, to prevent HIV infection; and discusses voluntary counseling and testing. Kaunda was tested for the virus when he launched PSI's first VCT center in Lusaka last year. The PSAs have been running on Zambian television since December 2002 (PSI release, 2/4). The PSAs are available online:
- A two-minute PSA addressing the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS is available online in RealPlayer.
- Three PSAs advocating compassion for people with HIV/AIDS are available online in RealPlayer.
- Three PSAs advocating abstinence, faithfulness and condom usage are available online in RealPlayer.
- Three PSAs advocating voluntary counseling and testing are available online in RealPlayer.