Men, women, and children were yesterday encouraged to join in Bermuda's fight against HIV/AIDS as the community marked the 17th annual World AIDS Day.

Members of the Government, activists, and health care workers called for the public to establish responsible sexual relationships and to educate young people, particularly women, about the dangers of contracting the disease.

A quilt in honour of those who have lost their lives to AIDS was laid out on the grass yesterday in front of Camden at the Botanical Gardens alongside a handmade blanket in honour of those who live with the disease and suffer from its potentially fatal effects.

A tree of life, planted in 1997, was also tied with the universal red ribbon that symbolises Bermuda and the rest of the world's quest to put a halt to the alarming spread of the virus in developing countries, particularly among women.

Surrounded by roses in the garden at Camden, Health Minister Patrice Minors read the 2004 Proclamation as activist Carolyn Armstrong, who runs the Lighthouse, Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Cann, and Shadow Health Minister Michael Dunkley urged the community to fight apathy and stigma and to join in the effort to empower young people to make wise choices.

Saying HIV is 100 percent preventable, Mrs. Minors praised charities and community organisations that have joined together to make an educational impact. In Bermuda women make up twenty-five percent of HIV cases and 24 percent of reported AIDS cases. Mrs. Minors said this figure may not seem like a lot, however, this indicates a further need to increase educational efforts.

“We must educate women to ask the right questions of their sexual partners of their health status to lessen the impact of AIDS,” she said. “We have to join in together in these efforts to protect women who are a source of strength and resiliency in this community. We must face the elements head on and not bury our heads and fail to nurture our community.”

In doing background research about AIDS, Mr. Dunkley said he had come across the fact that in the Caribbean, a region with which Bermuda is grouped when it comes to research and statistics, the leading cause of death between 15-44 year olds is AIDS.

“In Bermuda it is not that severe, but we still need to pay attention, we need to protect all people - parents and youth, rich and poor, black and white,” said Mr. Dunkley. “It's incumbent that we get rid of the myth and the stigma and the denial which goes with the disease,” he said.

Messages on the quilt read “Phyllis you are very brave, we are happy for the chance to be your friend” and “I miss you, I love you” and “Coffee Twins”.

Michael Fox, who used to run the Allen Vincent Smith Foundation, an educational agency which distributed information on HIV/AIDS, gave the community a challenge.

“To the men in our community, I challenge each of you to create a new respect for the women in your life. Be open, honest, and responsible in your relationships with them. To the women in our community, I challenge each of you to take charge of your lives, only you can control your destiny and your happiness.

“To other members of our community - educate yourselves and your children about all the implications of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases that exist in our world today. And most importantly recognise the valuable contribution that people living with HIV/AIDS continue to make towards the social fabric of this country. They need your love, understanding and support.”