my speech at an HIV/Aids candlelighting ceremony on 30 May, 2008

SPEECH BY THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR LABOUR, Ms EUNICE CHIPANGULA DURING THE ANNUAL CANDLELIGHT MEMORIAL CEREMONY ON FRIDAY, 30TH MAY 2008

The Secretary General of MCTU Mr Robert Nkwezalamba and your team
Trade Union Leaders present here

Employer organization Leaders

Heads of Departments and Sections

Members of the Press

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen


I am greatly gratified for having an opportunity to preside over the commemoration of this year’s Candlelight Memorial Ceremony in our Ministry on behalf of the Minister of Labour, who could have loved to be here but is tied up with equally important national matters.

2. Ladies and Gentlemen, the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial is a unique event that remembers and honours those who lost their lives to AIDS and support people living with HIV and affected households. The commemoration also raises community awareness of the pandemic and seeks to decrease its related stigma and discrimination. The campaign mobilizes communities and in our case, the workplace, to take part in the response to the pandemic as each community is affected through the loss of their beloved ones.

3. You will remember that for the time since the inception of the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial in 1983, the global launch was inaugurated outside the USA and was held here in Malawi, at CIVO Stadium on Sunday, 18th May 2008 where His Excellency Dr Bingu wa Mutharika and other international diginitaries graced the occasion, and a great number of people gathered to show their commitment and solidarity to the national event to show dedication to the national cause.
4. This year, Ladies and Gentlemen, after the official launch on 18th May 2008, Malawians throughout the country are commemorating the event in their own districts, Traditional Authorities and community levels. Furthermore, government also requested institutions to make special commemoration arrangements hence the holding of this function today. Such an arrangement will provide an opportunity for us in the labour sector to commemorate the day while recognizing the fact labour plays a catalytic role in national development and therefore needs much attention when it comes to fighting the pandemic. I therefore, welcome you to this year’s candlelight memorial ceremony in the Ministry.

5. Malawi is once again joining the International Community in commemorating the 25th Candle Light Memorial whose theme is: “Never Give UP….Never Forget”. The significance of this theme is to encourage workers and employers, communities and individuals to remember and honour those who have lost their lives to AIDS and those that continue to actively engage in the fight against HIV and AIDS worldwide.

6. I wish to emphasise that the commemoration is being held because every one of us is infected or affected. Who, among us, has not lost a loved one due to AIDS? Who has not lost a close relative to AIDS? Nobody can deny the fact that AIDS is real and continually taking away lives of our loved ones and those that are economically productive in our communities and families.

7. Ladies and Gentlemen, it is therefore important that we collaboratively honour all those that lost their lives due to AIDS and those positively living with HIV and commendably contributing towards the economy of this country.

8. Ladies and Gentlemen, the commemoration this day in the Ministry is in line with the Ministry’s commitment to upholding such core values as ensuring the development of a productive workforce and ensuring a safe working environment. This commitment is also shown in that the commemoration is being conducted together with our social partners, employers and workers organizations who are present here in recognition of the fact the fight against the pandemic cannot be successful if handled by government alone, in the workplace.
9. Ladies and Gentlemen, management of labour in the workplace is of paramount importance towards the economic development of this country. That is why when it comes to the fight against the pandemic, government leaves no stone unturned in its strategies and involvement of all stakeholders in the workplace in the fight against the pandemic.

10. Ladies and Gentlemen, it is however disturbing to learn that there are still some people that stigmatise and discriminate people that are infected with HIV and AIDS in the workplace.

11. Ladies and Gentlemen, let me make it clear that discrimination is not acceptable in the workplace. It is clearly stated in Chapter Four of our Constitution. Government will keep on reminding you of this Chapter because you need to have a deeper understanding of its content and interpretation.

12. Ladies and Gentlemen, it is also imperative to remember to respect your self and others in the workplace. Minding about you protection will automatically mean protection for others. This will in the end ensure a healthy workforce and sustainable production for economic growth.

13. Ladies and Gentlemen, AIDS is real and it continues to devastate families and the nation as a whole. The pandemic has not spared the workplace in this country. I therefore call upon our social partners, employers and workers organizations to: “Never Give UP….Never Forge!!!!!t”. Remember, we need to join hands to fight HIV pandemic and have a Malawi without AIDS.

14. I also wish to assure you that the Department of Nutrition, HIV and AIDS will continue to provide policy direction and guidance; and oversee the HIV and AIDS National response, and my Ministry will continue guiding the workplace response. On other hand, the National AIDS Commission will continue to coordinate HIV and AIDS Programme implementation monitoring and evaluation while MANETPLUS and all other stakeholders take part in programme management.

15. It is now my honour to declare the 2008 Ministry of Labour Candle Light Memorial officially launched.
I thank you and God bless you all