The exhibition was opened by H.E. Ambassador Shin Ebihara and Annie Lennox, HIV campaigner, founder of the SING campaign and singer/songwriter.
It showcases the work of the IPPF Japan Trust Fund for HIV and AIDS, and some of the many lives it has touched. The exhibition marks the tenth anniversary of the IPPF Japan Trust Fund.
The IPPF Japan Trust Fund is a partnership between the Government of Japan and the International Planned Parenthood Federation. Established in 2000, the Japan Trust Fund has been a pioneering programme that has actively provided some of the most stigmatised and marginalised communities around the world with essential services.
Ten years on, IPPF Member Associations in Africa, Asia and the Middle East have implemented more than 110 Japan Trust Fund projects in 40 countries. The breadth and scope of their work is evident in its reach and the array of project highlighted in “Exposures”, including:
- Supporting women engaged in sex work to access HIV and sexual health services and stand up for their rights in the conflict prone districts of Nepal
- Ensuring that package of workplace HIV services are available for construction workers and surrounding communities during the construction of the second Mekong International Bridge on the border of Laos and Thailand
- Working with organizations of people living with HIV in Cameroon, to secure their right to have a family and prevent mother to child transmission of HIV
- Meeting the sexual and reproductive health needs of people who use drugs, and their sexual partners, in Nagaland, India
- Increasing access to integrated HIV and sexual and reproductive health services for returning refugees in Rwanda, and addressing gender-based violence within these communities
H.E. Ambassador Shin Ebihara, said: “Japan is committed to helping achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Last week at the United Nations, Prime Minister Kan announced the new “Kan Commitment”, promising to provide 5 billion US dollars in health and 3.5 billion US dollars in education over the next five years. He also offered to host a MDGs follow-up conference in Japan next year. Japan believes active collaboration with civil society is important in achieving the MDGs. It is therefore my sincere hope that today’s event will provide a good opportunity for strengthening our ties with the IPPF and civil society.”
Annie Lennox, said: “It is such a challenge to put a face to HIV – a virus that you can’t see and often goes unnoticed. The images in the photo exhibition show so many diverse people, from so many diverse places; Nagaland, Ethiopia, Palestine…. What combines their experiences is stigma. Even here in the West, in the UK, there is still such strong stigma. HIV needs to become part of our common language.
"Real change is happening through initiatives like the ones showcased in this exhibition. What has been achieved by this partnership between the Government of Japan and the IPPF in 10 years has been amazing. And just imagine what can be achieved in the next 10 years. I am honoured to be part of it.”
Kevin Osborne, Senior Adviser HIV and AIDS at the International Planned Parenthood Federation, said: “Today, there are proven and compelling arguments supporting the linkages between HIV and sexual and reproductive health. But 10 years ago these arguments were not well understood or accepted.
It is a sign of incredible foresight that, in 2000, the Government of Japan supported IPPF to integrate HIV services into our sexual and reproductive health programmes. The images and stories highlighted in ‘Exposures’ illustrate the positive impact of the IPPF Japan Trust Fund for HIV and AIDS on the lives of many on the margins of society. It provides a compelling argument for scaling up our joint efforts.”
Annie Lennox, said: “It is such a challenge to put a face to HIV – a virus that you can’t see and often goes unnoticed. The images in the photo exhibition show so many diverse people, from so many diverse places; Nagaland, Ethiopia, Palestine…. What combines their experiences is stigma. Even here in the West, in the UK, there is still such strong stigma. HIV needs to become part of our common language.
"Real change is happening through initiatives like the ones showcased in this exhibition. What has been achieved by this partnership between the Government of Japan and the IPPF in 10 years has been amazing. And just imagine what can be achieved in the next 10 years. I am honoured to be part of it.”
Kevin Osborne, Senior Adviser HIV and AIDS at the International Planned Parenthood Federation, said: “Today, there are proven and compelling arguments supporting the linkages between HIV and sexual and reproductive health. But 10 years ago these arguments were not well understood or accepted.
It is a sign of incredible foresight that, in 2000, the Government of Japan supported IPPF to integrate HIV services into our sexual and reproductive health programmes. The images and stories highlighted in ‘Exposures’ illustrate the positive impact of the IPPF Japan Trust Fund for HIV and AIDS on the lives of many on the margins of society. It provides a compelling argument for scaling up our joint efforts.”
'Exposures: lives lived in the shadows and light of an epidemic' can be viewed until 12 October 2010 at the Embassy of Japan, 101 – 104 Piccadilly, London W1J 7JT.
For further information please contact Paul Bell at IPPF on: 44 (0) 207 939 8233 or pbell@ippf.org
For more information on the SING campaign please visit www.annielennoxsing.com
For further information please contact Paul Bell at IPPF on: 44 (0) 207 939 8233 or pbell@ippf.org
For more information on the SING campaign please visit www.annielennoxsing.com
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