PHIVA is a campaign to protect people
from acquiring HIV/AIDS, and ensure that those already infected remain
healthy, active and contributing members of society with access to drugs
that will save their lives. For this project to be effective and efficient
it is important to gather as much information on local programs and organizations
already in place as we wish to build collaborative relationships in each
location.
The project will involve Caribbean entertainers in an economically
sustainable Caribbean wide media based campaign (Public Service Announcements
on radio, TV, print, internet, billboards, and non traditional avenues)
to raise awareness and educate people on issues related to HIV/AIDS.
It is not limited to the English speaking Caribbean, it applies to
any location where there is a significant Caribbean population (New
York, Toronto, London, Miami etc.), and it includes all of the CARICOM
member states. The project will bring together the Caribbean music
and enertainement industry, local governments, NGOs, regional organizations,
academics, and Caribbean people throughout the world.
Figure of Reported AIDS cases/deaths in the Caribbean:
Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda,
Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Monsteratt, St.
Lucia, St. Kitts/Nevis, St. Vincent
& Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks
& Caicos, Virgin Islands U.K.). Source: CAREC
Something to keep in mind with the numbers of reported cases - not
only is there general underreporting, it is probably even more an
issue with males. Females tend to be offered HIV testing
via family planning and antenatal care (and females, more commonly
being care-givers for children) tend to access preventive and other
kinds of medical care more than males. Males are less likely to be
tested for HIV, and when they do test positive, almost never admit
to having had sex with other men. The large majority of cases of
unknown transmission are male, suggesting higher rates of MSM than
reported. And of course the majority of men who have sex
with men claim to be heterosexual. There is no question
that there are higher rates of heterosexual transmission of HIV in
the Caribbean than in North America. But I still maintain that MSM
- and stigma and discrimination against MSM - is still fueling the
epidemic here. I always hear that stigma against PWAs is what keeps
people from coming forward for testing and treatment. I think it's
more a case of stigma and discrimination against the groups perceived
to be infected is what keeps those who are at risk from coming forward.
Hence my focus on ending the discrimination against homosexuals in
the Caribbean.
Music from the Caribbean (1982-) Much Controversy, much
Confusion,
much appeal, much to be done....
2005: Keegan Taylor and Maximus Dan
team up for 2005. Death is still seen as a major outcome of
HIV in the Caribbean.
2004: Trinidad carnival music speaks to the HIV/AIDS issues
(Diamond Cut featuring Nadia: Be careful).
SHAGGY's PSAs produced
by Artists Against Aids Worldwide on behalf of PSI and YouthAids.
View Video Here. View more
PSAs on shaggysstudio.com.
Def Jam Poetry's Jamaican Staceyann Chin.
2004: Jazz Drummer Aubrey Dayle teams up with his sister to
make conscious music.
2001: CAREC and CDC estimated 8,024 people living with HIV/AIDS
in the smaller islands and 83,260 in the larger islands (not
including Haiti and DR). June 1982-June 2002, 60% of AIDS
cases for young people ages 15-24 in Jamaica were female;
for ages 25-60 40% of AIDS cases were female.
1982-1992: In Jamaica 496 people had AIDS, 65% were male.
69% of those infected died. By 2002, the number of people
who ever reported having AIDS in Jamaica had increased to
6038, 65% of whom were heterosexual. 252 children had died
of AIDS by 2002. In 1992 Buju produced an album with more
hit singles than Marley. He later started Operation Willy,
a charity for kids living with AIDS in Jamaica. In 1991 Buju
released Boom Bye Bye, calling for the death of gay men.
1985: 6 deaths from AIDS reported in Barbados. By the end
of 2000, 1025 people had died.
