AIDS is a fact of life. It is no longer someone else's disease. We are all equally susceptible to it – if we continue to be ignorant about the facts. The best protection the world has against HIV/AIDS is the actions of individuals.

 

There's no cure for AIDS, there is no vaccine against HIV, but there are simple things we all can do to stop the spread of HIV. The crucial thing is knowing what these simple, but very powerful, actions are in the first place. Knowledge can change behavior. And changing behavior can stop the spread of HIV. That will save lives.

 

Avert Society was founded to assist the efforts of the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) and the Government of Maharashtra. It has received a major grant from USAID to engage in reducing the transmission, and mitigating the impact of STD/HIV/AIDS and related infectious diseases.

 

Maharashtra accounts for around 20% of all reported HIV and AIDS cases in India.

 

Avert Society is committed to controlling the spread of HIV/AIDS as well as caring for those afflicted by it. The Avert Society is especially committed to the reduction of stigma and discrimination, and protecting the human rights of people affected by HIV/AIDS, particularly the vulnerable and marginalized, as it takes on the formidable challenge of prevention & control of HIV/AIDS in Maharashtra.

 

Smriti Acharya
Project Director