HIV/AIDS Prevention and Adolescent Friendly Services

HIV/AIDS and Adolescent-Friendly Services

Celebrity Football Match in Bam

Former football star Nima Nakisa speaks to the media about how celebrities can help spread information on HIV/AIDS

Residents of the earthquake affected city of Bam were given a rare treat recently when a group of celebrities from sport, TV and film flew down to the desert town to play in a football match.

Iran’s celebratory football team was in Bam to celebrate Eide Ghorban and to raise awareness on HIV/AIDS. More than 200 people attended the event, having heard about the game via loudspeakers in the city.

The stars were up against two local teams, Montakhab and Elite. Elite is a youth team hand picked for their talent and supported by Real Madrid, one of Spain’s most famous clubs.

“Nima Nakisa is one of my favourite football players,” said Shahraam Gholaam Shaahi, 15, a player on the Elite team. “I am very excited to be playing against him today.”

UNICEF, who teamed up last year with the celebratory football team during the launch of the Global Campaign on Children and AIDS was also present at the event. “Unite for Children, Unite against AIDS” posters and banners were displayed in Farsi and English around the stadium. UNICEF staff handed out information leaflets and brochures on HIV/AIDS and how to protect oneself against the disease.

“Research has shown that in Iran young people know very little about HIV/AIDS,” said Maneli Aghakhan, UNICEF’s assistant officer in Child Protection. “They lack the information needed to arm themselves against the spread of the virus. Ignorance makes each young Iranian more vulnerable to the disease.”

Prevalence of HIV/AIDS is not high in Iran. Most of the cases are among injecting drug users and those who take part in risky behaviour. But lack of awareness about the disease and how you catch it is high. That’s why UNICEF’s HIV/AIDS programme is focusing on supporting services that spread information amongst children and adolescents so they are protected against the disease.

A youth football team from Bam takes on Iran’s celebrities

Shahraam admitted he knew nothing about the disease. “The media should publicize more about HIV because if we had more information, then I would have a better understanding of the issue,” he said.

Stigma attached to the disease is also strong. Many people living with HIV or AIDS in Iran often talk about the daily discrimination and isolation they face.

“What the public need to know is that HIV/AIDS is not passed on through daily contact,” said Pouya Amini. “Lack of knowledge often leads to so much fear and prejudice that the person who has it is literally deprived of the right to lead a normal life.”

For years UNICEF has used celebrities and high profile people to speak out on issues that are important to their mission – to improve the lives of children and women around the world. By creating public awareness of children’s issues and helping to mobilize resources, celebrities have the power to send a clear message that children are an urgent priority.

“My goal is to help and I think that in order to make a difference we should try to go beyond a slogan and delve deeper into the issue of HIV/AIDS by skipping the formalities and talking openly about the disease,” said Nima Nakisa, former goalkeeper of Esteghlal team. “Certain inhibitions which result in neglect and lead to further spread of the disease should not exist in the 21st century.”

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