In 1993, Jane Keith-Reid founded and became the Director of the AIDS Task Force in Fiji. Her advocacy work on prevention and awareness raising covers many issues related to HIV/AIDS. Jane created a peer-education program to reach out to vulnerable populations. She later extended this program out to eight other Pacific countries. She also established a drop-in clinic for young people and for people living with HIV/AIDS. She argues for education and leadership so that the populations in the Pacific countries can work together to prevent the spread of HIV. Jane campaigns for free anti-retroviral therapy and for the protection of the rights of HIV-positive persons. She encouraged the parliament to become involved and the parliament has since enacted laws to protect the job security and dignity of persons who are living with HIV/AIDS.

Jane emphasizes that gender is an important factor to recognize in the struggle for the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS-positive individuals. She co-authored a letter to US President George W. Bush highlighting the negative impact that his administration's "global gag rule" will have on "consigning untold numbers of women and girls to infection, suffering and premature death that could otherwise have been prevented (CITE)."

Jane was nominated as one of one thousand women worldwide for the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize for her commitment to working for the rights and protection of persons living with HIV/AIDS.

 

Information on HIV/AIDS in Fiji, end of 2003

Adult* HIV prevalence rate: 0.1%
Adults living with HIV: 600
Adults and children living with HIV: n/a
Women Living with HIV: <200
AIDS deaths (adults and children): <200

*Adult statistics for persons 15-49 years old

**statistics from deaths that occurred in 2003

Source: HIV InSite

Related Websites

http://www.1000peacewomen.org

The official website announcing the one thousand women worldwide that were nominated for the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize.

http://www.genderhealth.org/gagletter.php?TOPIC=PRG

This page on the Center for Health and Gender Equity website contains that piece entitled "World Community Speaks Out Against the Global Gag Rule: Letter to President Bush" that was published in March 2003.