U.S. Ambassador Peter W. Bodde yesterday opened an expert panel discussion on HIV/AIDS Stigma and Discrimination in Nepal at the FNCCI building.  The panel was organized to help broaden understanding of the challenges facing individuals living with HIV/AIDS in Nepal.

The U.S. Embassy is hosting the panel discussion and a series of other programs, including movie screenings, around the theme of civil rights this month.  Americans are commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act in the United States, which in 1964 outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.  The United States has seen great leaps over the past 50 years as a result of the civil rights movement, including expansion of legal rights of those with HIV/AIDS to live and work without discrimination.  The month of June also marks Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month.

According to a press release issued by Public Affairs Section Embassy of The United States, Ii his opening remarks, Ambassador Bodde reflected upon the successful bilateral partnership between the United States and Nepal in the fight against HIV/AIDS.  “The U.S. government’s pioneering projects have made real impacts in Nepal toward preventing new infections, increasing access to quality services, and reducing stigma,” he said.

These programs have reached more than 1.18 million individuals with quality HIV prevention services, providing HIV counseling and testing services to nearly 135,000 individuals, and have reached nearly 19,000 HIV-infected individuals with care, support and treatment services.  The programs also delivered HIV-related stigma and discrimination trainings for more than 80,000 individuals.