Dear Colleagues, Collaborators, Partners and Friends,

This year, 2024 we mark the World AIDS Day (WAD) with the theme, ‘Take the Rights Path’. The theme follows last year’s message which invited us to give the community agency, as protagonist of the fight against the pandemic that the world has struggled with, for more than four decades. On this day we come together as a human family to stand in solidarity with over 38 million people living with HIV and AIDS, globally and over 25 million in Africa.  It is a moment we reflect back at the experiences and struggles we have shared together and the future we hope for.

A young student from St Aloysius Gonzaga High School, Nairobi, Kenya, observed “rights is not something merited, or something assigned to one person and not the other. It is meant for all. Everyone is entitled to health care, access to all services and to a caring community.  It being my right, it should be exercised by everyone around me to ensure that I am safe and in good health and on my part, I ensure that the others around me are safe and in good health.” Despite this knowledge, information and maybe good intention, the message of UNAIDS for this year’s World AIDS, 2024, paints a picture of elevated rise of parallel epidemic of fear, stigma and discrimination that pulls back gains realized so far, in the fights against HIV and AIDS.

The president of the Jesuit Conference of Africa and Madagascar (JCAM), Fr. Jose Minaku, SJ. in his message for the World AIDS Day posed a pertinent question, that; “if we are talking of the rights path, are we, then, on the wrong path? If so, for how long have we strayed?” Put it otherwise, at what point were rights lost? Taking a step back to 2002, when AJAN was created by the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), the Superior General of the Society, Father Peter Hans Kolvenbach tasked the Jesuits in Africa to carry out intense and coordinated actions to counter HIV pandemic through propagation of the faith and the promotion of rights and justice

This stance set the path for Jesuits to give expression to the search for justice for those affected by HIV because remaining silent and indifferent was no longer an option. The mission was to amplify the voices of thousands of orphans forgotten in our streets, cities and villages; advocate for young girls, boys, women and men discriminated against, rejected by the simple fact that they have tested of HIV positive. Fast forward to 2024, we are still witnessing the dehumanizing effect of the HIV.

What should be the attitude of AJAN now, on the face a long drawn battle? Again Fr. Jose emphasizes that “rather than indulging in vain speculations or sterile complaints, let us use this moment to pause and evaluate the year now ending” and shape a new, our resolutions. We also underline that taking the rights path, does not imply giving rights only to the people affected and infected with HIV, leaving out the most critical component of the society; the family and the community. The health of the family or the community is as important as the health of those affected and infected. Care infused within the community and family gives room for each party to protect the other’s right because the family and larger society can remove the obstacles of discriminations and stigma and replace them with solidarity, acceptance and compassion.

Today, AJAN joins the global community, in recognizing that the path we started many years ago is still long and calls us to recommit even more, our strength of will and resources. The Jubilee year 2025 carries a strong message of inspiration; that of recognizing ourselves as pilgrims of hope. The Pope asserts that the Jubilee is a profound opportunity to rekindle hope and trust, setting the stage for the renewal, restoration of social justice and rebirth we so deeply yearn for, especially for the most vulnerable members of the community. This vision can become a reality if we embrace a spirit of universal fraternity and confront the pressing challenge of HIV and its attendant factors, which deny millions; men, women, youth, and children, the chance to live with the dignity that befits our shared humanity.

African Jesuit AIDS Network continues, through its ministry to give a holding hand, uphold and advocate for the rights and dignity of all those living with HIV and AIDS, so that we, together may have life and have it in full (Jn 10;10). May St. Louis de Gonzague, patron of the stricken intercede for us.

Ms. Pascalia Sergon,

Acting Director, AJAN.