TAC, Levi Strauss, South African Entertainers Launching Campaign To Prevent Spread of HIV Among Nation’s Youth
The South African HIV/AIDS treatment advocacy group Treatment Action Campaign is partnering with Levi Strauss' South Africa division and several South African entertainers to launch a campaign aimed at preventing the spread of HIV among youth in the nation, the SAPA/Mail & Guardian reports. The campaign, titled "Red for Life," hopes to increase HIV/AIDS awareness among young people through concerts and events and will promote HIV/AIDS prevention. The campaign's first event -- a concert titled "Rage for the Revolution," featuring South African artists -- plans to focus on HIV/AIDS awareness because HIV prevalence among youth in South Africa is rising, according to TAC Director Zackie Achmat (SAPA/Mail & Guardian, 1/13). The concert will target non-black youth who have "excluded themselves from awareness initiatives," News24.com reports. All funds raised from the concert will go to the TAC Treatment Project, which provides antiretroviral treatment to HIV-positive people. The campaign also will feature an HIV prevention initiative, called Condoms Everywhere, that will distribute about 60,000 condoms to schools (Walter, News24.com, 1/13). Achmat said the partnership with Levi Strauss is the group's first commercial joint initiative, according to the SAPA/Mail & Guardian. "What we want to see from all corporates ... is fair labor practices, an ethical approach, ... a progressive approach" in dealing with the pandemic, Achmat said, the SAPA/Mail & Guardian reports. Mike Joubert, managing director of Levi Strauss SA, said the company plans to play a more visible role in promoting HIV/AIDS awareness and hopes to raise at least $1 million in 2005 (SAPA/Mail & Guardian, 1/13).
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