Friday 1 December
Under the banner: “It takes courage”, Somerset West Community Health Centre welcomed about forty people from Ottawa’s African, Caribbean and Black communities to its annual forum, commemorating World AIDS Day. Following on the heels of an earlier event in which scores of people from the community marched on Parliament Hill to remind Canadians of the plight of hundreds of people afflicted by , or at risk of HIV/AIDS. The forum featured a panel of three speakers who described their involvement in various HIV/AIDS initiatives, programs and projects. A video presentation was also part of the event. The goal was to sensitize the community on the risks, provide information on treatment and support, and explore strategies for removing barriers, the stigma and the shame that often affects people living with the disease, through education and public awareness.
All photos copyright Black Ottawa Scene