Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa to open the 7th SA Aids Conference, 9 June 2015, Durban ICC

Durban - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, will tomorrow, Tuesday 9 June 2015 attend and address the opening session of the 7th SA AIDS Conference on Tuesday 9 June 2015 scheduled for Durban’s Inkosi Albert Luthuli ICC.

The Conference was preceded by the South African National AIDS Council Lekgotla held in Boksburg over the weekend as part of preparations for the Durban AIDS Conference. The Lekgotla was attended by Ministers, Deputy Ministers, members of civil society including People Living with   HIV (PLHIV), NAPWA, PWN and TAC.

The main focus of the 7th SA AIDS Conference will be the sharing of the South African Stigma Survey results, provide practical and innovative actions and programmes to counter stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV.

The Stigma survey, the largest in the world, was conducted among 10 700 HIV-positive people who are older than 15 years in 18 districts across the Republic. The Survey was launched with a view to measuring self-reported stigma and discrimination experienced by people living with HIV. The results of the Survey will inform government policies and programmes aimed at protecting the rights of people living with HIV.

Deputy President Ramaphosa is also expected to visit the Gugu Dlamini Park where he will interact with youths including young women around the issue of the triple burden and effect of the epidemic on young women.

Media are invited as follows:

Date: Tuesday 9 June 2015

Opening session of the conference: 16h00-18h20

Deputy President’s address: 16h30

Visit to the Gugu Dlamini Park: 11h45

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa at 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria