Miss Hiv Positive Beauty Pageant Begins Nov 23

   
HIV: Miss Positive beauty pageant begins Nov 23
By Olayinka Latona
Wednesday, October 21, 2009

In order to check or eliminate the taboo associated with the social vulnerability of People Living With HIV/AIDS in Nigeria and to signify a major landmark in the campaign against HIV/AIDS, Mannerism Communications (MACOM) in conjunction the body of People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWA) and the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA)is hosting the first ever “Miss Positive, Nigeria “beauty pageant.




 


The contest is unique as it is aimed at developing a national movement for an intensive awareness campaign against HIV/AIDS stigmatisation with primary focus on youths and adolescents.

The event is scheduled for November 23- 28, 2009. Suzan Olori, Project Manager, noted that the eventual winner will reign for one year and will be responsible for executing a HIV/AIDS project in several communities in Nigeria.

Project Director, Mr. Ojo Martins, told Good Health Weekly that the Miss Positive beauty pageant seeks to promote openness, an active lifestyle and tolerance for PLWA in all spheres of life. He said the beauty contest is going to involve both HIV/AIDS positive and negative women, aged 18- 28.

“This contest is going to be an annual event. Our aim is to promote openness and active life styles for those infected and thereby sensitise the populace. The avenue will also provide a unique opportunities for brands to come-up close with the general public through their corporate social responsibilities.”

Apart of the essence of Miss Positive beauty pageant, Ojo said the event is also about networking with PLWA. “Miss Positive is beyond gathering of people and telling them about HIV/AIDS or advising them to use condoms. Rather it is coming out to tell the world that I am positive and how do the people protect me and my interest? It is different from other approach or what we are used to.

“It is an approach where anybody that is positive is proud and once he or she knows that he will not be stigmatised, it will be easier for such person to live an open life.

http://odili.net/news/source/2009/oct/21/315.html

U sure say people go come out for d peagent?

This is absolute madness,   

Yes.
Candylips and . . .

This same Naija where we have homosexuals and lesbians in the closet.
This gotta be a joke

abeg make we see pictures of those contesting. . .no go area

it will not happen

miss spanky, miss Missy, miss corruption, miss bribery, miss 419, miss poverty, miss hunger etc.

lwkmd,

Its a good idea though,  anybody can be positive to Hiv,even very innocent people contract it,indeed stigmatisation and criticism must be eliminated, but for the beauty  peagent ? na im  i no come know oooOOO , which fine agbani daregoat wan talk say e get HIV/AIDS? ,who wan show face say e get am ,,people who's been hiding in their closet may not want to get exposed cos once that is done people will start running from them. i aint sure that will work here in Naija .

both HIV/AIDS positive and negative women, aged 18- 28.

How will they separate them or will they compete together,just asking ?

Na only Naija this rubbish fit happen.

what is this? Nigeria and this "Miss" nonsense.
the only important miss is MBGN.
the rest are just rubbish.

is this a way to promote HIV or what? they need to remember that it is real!
how is having a Miss HIV positive going to do anything?
this is very laughable!!!

of all the posts and reply that has come in here ,  not one , one has made any sense or has said anything intelligent here

just just condemnation, and curses.this is the stigmatisation they are talking about.

you all dont seem to get the point, here in nigeria tthey have a narrow minded view on the subject of HIV/Aids , its not about the crown or money now

look at the bigger picture what this will do is to enlighten people on the subject and let them know what its all about .and to see that people are actually living a positive  and promising life and still manage the disease with adequate treatment

it takes a very learned person to read a post and understand and then reply with good suggestions.

i suggest you all read this.

Obstacles come i go jump am pass!!,i am sure the organizers and the pageants are also positives, ,but any way,"THOU SHALL NOT STIGMATIZE"