The 1st of December, World AIDS Day, is the day when individuals and organisations from around the world come together to bring attention to the global AIDS epidemic. 2008 marks the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day.
18,000 people died from AIDS in 2007 in Lesotho, and more than 20% of the population are HIV positive. The country is also struggling to cope with 110,000 AIDS orphans. Crippling poverty combined with AIDS in Lesotho has caused average life expectancy to drop to 44 years for women and 39 for men.
The HIV/AIDS epidemic in Lesotho has devastated the productive adult population aged between 15 and 49. The impact on individuals, families and the whole nation is being felt as adults are often too sick to work, and children orphaned to AIDS are left to run households.
HIV/AIDS has had a particular impact on women. There are currently 150,000 women living with HIV in Lesotho.
Now, more than ever, Lesotho needs all the help it can get battling the HIV / AIDS pandemic.
Further Information
To read more about World Aids Day visit www.worldaidsday.org