Kathmandu, November 30

A candlelight vigil was organised here today, on the eve of World AIDS Day.

This year the day is being celebrated with the theme ‘Communities make the difference’.

Marking the 32nd World AIDS Day, the candle lighting ceremony was organised by Maiti Nepal at Gaushala where participants pinned red ribbon to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS. The participants also observed a minute of silence during the event.

The vigil is conducted every year by Maiti Nepal to commemorate the day and spread awareness on preventing HIV/AIDS and to advocate a dignified life for those living with HIV/AIDS.

According to National Centre for AIDS and STD Control, estimated numbers of people living with HIV in Nepal is 31,020. The key population suffering from HIV/AIDS is people who inject drugs, sex workers and their clients, men who have sex with men and transgender people, male labour migrants and their wives and prison inmates in Nepal.

“The event is marked to remember the people who have lost their lives from the disease and to raise awareness about the disease,” said Anuradha Koirala, founder of Maiti Nepal.