The National AIDS Secretariat ( NAS), Rofutha Development Association (RODA), UNAIDS and other partners in the national HIV response in Sierra Leone on Friday 1st March 2024 to celebrate World Zero Discrimination Day at the Family Kingdom in Freetown, on the theme: “ protect everyone’s health, Protect Everyone’s Rights”.
This Day is celebrated globally to raise awareness about stereotypes, social injustices and discriminatory practices that continues to deepen inequalities and marginalization of key and vulnerable population groups. 
The theme “Protect everyone’s health, Protect Everyone’s Rights” highlights the need to repeal repressive laws and inequalities that limits key populations (Ps) and other vulnerable populations access to HIV prevention and treatment services and undermine progress at ending AIDS as public health threat in Sierra Leone by 2030.
In her opining remarks the Chairperson for Parliamentary Committee on Health who doubles as chairperson for the program, Hon Bernadette Weyah Songa underscored the importance of the celebration. She said their role as parliamentarian is to talk and advocates for the people they are serving. She said there is a need to protect every one right and most especially to get a clear understanding of what people are going through individually.
She pointed out that discrimination at all level is painful and thus affect the growth of people. She said when people are discriminated they will not perfume effect and cripples service delivery. She said zero discrimination can only achieve if people put their minds together. She described HIV as a mental health citing the negative effect stigma but called for more advocacies at community level since it does not acquire through sex along. She said every one count in succeeding in zero discrimination.
In his statement, the Country Director for UNAIDS in Sierra Leone Dr Isaac Ahemesah said Zero discrimination Day was established by UNAIDS in a bid to safeguard the rights of all individuals and foster healthier societies. He said it is an opportune time to reflect on the progress made and the challenges that persist in the region of West and Central Africa.
He pointed out that there has been a significant increase in girls’ enrolment in schools since 2015 adding that the stride towards education equality exemplifies the advancement of rights in our region.
He recalled that Global AIDS Report 2023, Western and Central Africa has witnessed progress in combating HIV/AIDS while w infections have declined by 49% between 2010 and 2022, with a remarkable surge in antiretroviral therapy coverage among adults. He said to fulfil the commitment of ending AIDS by 2030, there is a need for urgent action for the protection of human rights for all.
He said effort to address human rights challenges in the region have encountered various perspectives and approaches. However, it is concerning to note a trend of intensifying legal measures in certain countries, which can inadvertently exacerbate vulnerabilities among marginalized communities. Such actions risk perpetuating discrimination and undermining the collective efforts towards fostering inclusive and equitable societies. He called for all stakeholders to engage in constructive dialogue and collaborative efforts to ensure that human rights are upheld for all individuals, regardless of their background or identity.
In his statement Commissioner Simitie Lavaly from the Human Right Commission of Sierra Leone lauded the need to protect every one right. He explained in detailed how the Human Right commission was established, scope of operation, cases handle related to protection of one right, and report on various human right violation in the country.
In his statement the Deputy Minister of Justice Alpha Sesay (ESQ), as stakeholders in the justices system, the celebration of zero discrimination is of great importance. He said they are also looking for better and improve way of addressing the bottle necks in the system that hinder services delivery. He used the forum to encourage every to join ensure zero discrimination campaign does not only stop at the specific day it serve but to be adopted in every one’s life. During the process a comprehensive presentation was done by head of Centre for the Accountability and the Rule of Law indicating the various form of discrimination, while testimony from victims of discrimination form the highpoint of the celebration.
