UN World AIDS Day: Global efforts to end HIV/AIDS get a boost in Nigeria

Ahead of this year’s UN World AIDS Day, Canada’s unions are pleased to join international efforts to better assess workplace programs aimed at promoting HIV/AIDS awareness, testing, and treatment in Nigeria.

The Canadian Labour Congress is working with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Trade Union Congress-UK to support the National HIV Workplace Assessment in the sub-Saharan nation. Nigeria has the second largest HIV epidemic in the world.

Key stakeholders including the Nigeria Labour Congress, government, and health organizations coordinated the workplace assessment. Based on ILO Recommendation 200, the survey will emphasize the role of trade unions in Nigeria and throughout the continent, by linking Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) programs to HIV and AIDS awareness raising, prevention, testing, and treatment. This important work will help reduce gaps in HIV testing and treatment, and will support global efforts to end AIDS by 2030.

Researchers will use the information to identify any gaps in the current system, to inform national priorities and programs, to plan future workplace interventions and to help secure funding for trade unions to continue this important work.

Significant progress has been made in the AIDS response since the launch of the first UN World AIDS Day in 1988. This year’s theme “Know Your Status” aims to eliminate the stigma around HIV testing by focusing on awareness and encouraging individuals to get tested.