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Beauty pageant spotlights the HIV positive

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GABORONE, Botswana, Sept. 7 (UPI) — Fourteen contestants competed in dazzling evening gowns and traditional tribal costumes for the title of Miss HIV Stigma Free.

GABORONE, Botswana, Sept. 7 (UPI) — Fourteen contestants competed in dazzling evening gowns and traditional tribal costumes for the title of Miss HIV Stigma Free.The 31-year-old winner of the weekend pageant said she hoped her victory would encourage others to respect those with the disease, the BBC reported Sunday.Kgalalelo Ntsepe also urged sufferers not to wait until they were at death’s door to seek medical treatment.Botswana has the highest infection rate for HIV worldwide, with 38 percent of the population carrying the virus, the BBC said.Botswana is one of few developing countries trying to offer anti-HIV drugs to all who need them and has been praised for its efforts to battle the disease.Despite those efforts, those suffering from HIV and AIDS are shunned.The pageant’s organizer, also HIV positive, said she hoped the contest would help change those negative attitudes and show HIV positive women can still be vital and attractive. (Source: United Press International, 8 Sept 2003)


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Dates

Posted On: 8 September, 2003
Modified On: 5 December, 2013


Created by: myVMC