A younger South African activist dwelling with HIV will take over Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron's Instagram account on World AIDS Day, the United Nations mentioned Thursday.
Ibanomonde Ngema, a 21-year-old activist, will take the reins of the South African-born actress's international account @charlizeafrica, with some 7.6 million followers, on December 1, UNAIDS mentioned in a press release.
The inauguration of Ngema, who was born with HIV and has devoted his advocacy work to dispelling myths and lowering stigma round HIV, will goal to boost consciousness in regards to the first-hand experiences of younger individuals dwelling with HIV, mentioned.
Theron, a so-called UN Messenger of Peace who has lengthy advocated for addressing the systemic inequalities that drive HIV infections amongst younger girls and women, insisted within the assertion that “ending AIDS is inside our attain.” .
However, he warned, “provided that we utterly dismantle dangerous patterns of stigma and discrimination by means of legal guidelines, insurance policies and practices that defend individuals dwelling with HIV.”
Theron received the perfect actress Oscar for her lead position within the 2004 movie “Monster” and has extra lately starred in movies corresponding to “Mad Max: Fury Street.”
“I’ve at all times cherished watching Charlize Theron on the massive display and have lengthy been impressed through the use of her affect to assist individuals all over the world, particularly in our house nation of South Africa,” Ngema mentioned within the assertion.
The announcement got here after UNAIDS this week printed a brand new report displaying how rights violations exacerbate girls and women' vulnerability to HIV.
Final 12 months, girls and women accounted for 62 % of all new HIV infections in sub-Saharan Africa, UNAIDS mentioned.