Decriminalization of Sex Work is the Key to Success of HIV Programs

HIV Advocates is a program designated to raise HIV awareness and aims to share concise news, developments as well as the movements of human rights as they constantly battle the terrible condition that is HIV. The program has been established back in 1990’s, and it has certainly come a long way as the recent developments of the pharmaceutical industry have allowed people who have this terrible HIV condition to live a lot longer. In any case, the HIV Advocates program is going to be highlighting the role that the decriminalization of sex work is going to have on the success of different HIV programs. 

The cases of sex workers facing severe discrimination and being denied much needed medical assistance for the proper treatment of sexually transmitted infections are without a doubt countless. The truth is that this is mainly due to the fact that sex workers still have an illegal status which pretty much allows discrimination. Furthermore, it attributes to other negative social tendencies such as severe social isolation, stigmatization of the sex workers and much more. This is something that’s going to have an overly negative effect on the entire community. This is due to the fact that once the police officers confiscate the condoms of sex workers; they are going to be forced to resort to unprotected sex which is going to lead to a potential transmittance of other diseases. This is going to raise the overall rate of newly infected HIV positive members of society. 

However, the first steps toward decriminalization of sex workers have been taken by the Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, who successfully launched a Sex Worker HIV Plan which is designated to battle against this negative social tendency. If the plan is brought to an end and completion this is going to have a huge success for the proper implementation of HIV Programs such as the HIV Advocates. It is something which acknowledges that sex workers have the rights to dignity, to life as well as to health services. They are also going to get the much needed protection from the legal system which is also quite essential. 

The truth is that unless the sex work is properly decriminalized HIV programs are doomed to fail because there is no merit for them to stand on. They can only advocate the rights that sex workers should be entitled to and protest against them not having them, but apart from that, there is not much they can accomplish. The HIV Plan has set out to change that, and it might be the first attempt to do so properly.

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Watch Asian Youth Orchestra with Conductors Richard Pontzious & James Judd

Asian Youth Orchestra (AYO) is a world renowned youth orchestra composed of young individuals who came from different regions of Asia. It was originally founded in the year 1987 by conductors Richard Pontzious and Yehudi Menuhin. AYO has received worldwide commendations and applause worldwide from different musical geniuses.  

Some of their most notable performances include their presentation in the United Nation, White House, Sydney Opera House, Konzerthaus of Vienna, and Shauspielhaus in Berlin, Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Hollywood Bowl in California, the Avery Fisher Hall of New York and the Great hall located in Beijing.  This year, AYO will be in Hong Kong on 5 and 6 August, giving you the opportunity to witness their music.

Dubbed as one of the most stimulating orchestras in the world by San Francisco Chronicle, Asian Youth Orchestra is slated to perform at least 17 concerts in different cities all over the Asian region during the summer season.  On August 5 and 6, Hong Kong audience will get the chance to watch their unparalleled skills in playing music with the conductor Richard Pontzious & James Judd. Their repertoire includes Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man and Appalachian Spring, Holst’s The Planets, Dvorak’s Symphony No. 8 and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6.

The Hong Kong performances of the Asian Youth Orchestra will happen on Friday, 5 Aug and Saturday, 6 Aug at 8pm at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall.  Do not miss this chance to hear the Asian Youth Orchestra live. This is your opportunity to hear a world renowned orchestra group!  For any questions about the performance, you may call 2866 1623.

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Using Natural, GMO-Free grain and Rapeseed Oil Seed for Maximum Health Benefits

Flodins stands for nothing short of excellence and premium quality. With their Omega-3 pork concept they have improved the flavour, texture and health benefits of pork in a natural way. They aim to ensure the best results by controlling the entire chain of production, by ensuring the animals have been raised humanely. Their farms operate under the highest standards and best practices in the animal welfare world.

A Leading Expert

Flodins is by far the premium brand of the HKScan. The leading Nordic expert with decades of professional experience and traditions established all the way back in 1913. The company produces and sells top-notch meat products such as pork, beef, lamb products, processed meats and poultry as well as different convenience foods. They also export to more than 50 countries and have home markets in Finland, Denmark, Sweden and the Baltic states.

High-Quality, Heart-healthy Feed

Flodins raises their pigs on small, family owned farms and feeds them a completely natural diet of GMO-free corn mixed with locally grown rapeseed. Rapeseed Oil Seed improves both the texture and flavour of the pork and raises the level of Omega-3- up to 4 times more compared to conventionally raised meat! In turn, saturated fat is reduced producing a delicious, heart-healthy pork. This high-quality fat is distributed throughout the meat, making it extremely tender, tasty and full of the mouth-watering juices that every professional chef or home cook aims to bring to the table.

The consistent quality of Flodins meat means that the best results are always attainable, for every meal!

Learn More:  http://www.flodinsfood.asia/
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Breakthrough in Thailand: Elimination of Mother-to-Child HIV Transmission

HIV Advocates aims to share HIV-related news to people all over the world. Like many, it advocates dissemination of information and education to have a better understanding of HIV, including its consequences, and more importantly, how to survive with such. We are one with the many in rejoicing when a breakthrough has been achieved. Among others, one that we widely celebrated is the news that Thailand eliminated mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV. With more than half a million people in the country who have HIV, this is indeed good news. Even World Health Organization congratulated the country for this feat.

The HIV epidemic in Thailand started in the beginning of the 1990s.  In as early as 1988, however, the country has already registered its first case of HIV in a pregnant woman. In recent years, cases of MTCT were believed to be more than 20%. Its elimination, no wonder, has been welcomed news, especially by the WHO.

How exactly is Thailand able to eliminate MTCT? There are various ways, and one of such is the strengthening of maternal and child care policies. They have executed a national AIDS prevention measure and introduced anti-retroviral medicines. Through the latter, it has been asserted that the risk of transmitting HIV to children during pregnancy, breastfeeding, delivery, and labor is reduced to just a little over 1%, which is a significant improvement from the previous probability of 15 to 45%.

In 2000, based on the country’s statistical data, there are more than 1,000 children who had HIV. In 2015, it has been significantly reduced to 85. This is decrease of more than 90%, an achievement that is recognized by WHO. For mothers, on the other hand, in 2000, there are more than 15,000 of them who had HIV. By 2014, meanwhile, it has been reduced to 1,900. This is an 87% decrease. The government has provided equitable access to healthcare for both the rich and the poor, which is probably one of the reasons for the reduction of MTCT, or HIV cases in general.

Thailand is just one of the many countries that have been earlier validated by WHO for the elimination of MTCT of HIV. Other countries who share the same accomplishment include Armenia and Republic of Moldova. At HIV Advocates, just like many others, we hope that this is going to inspire other governments to be also proactive in their approach in fighting HIV and to develop robust policies to extend universal care to their citizens.

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Pamper your Skin with The Beauty Chef Formulas

“Our range of inner beauty elixirs boost hydration, improve collagen renewal, and increase antioxidant levels to fight free radical damage.”

Gourmet Skin Bar is home to the finest cosmetic and skin care brands, which use organic and cruelty-free ingredients. Quality products are only associated with high-end brands, and those tend to be heavy on the pocket. The brands featured at Gourmet Skin Bar are at par with the high-end products and are budget-friendly. One of the brands we are proud to stock is The Beauty Chef.

The Beauty Chef is the brainchild of Carla Oates, who has packed her 15 years of knowledge of natural beauty products and minerals into her line. Carla believes that beauty lies within, and inner cleanse is what brings out the natural glow and health on the outside. All the ingredients in Carla’s range are included based on this philosophy. The line of products at Beauty Chef include prebiotic and probiotic supplements, which are rich in skin-loving ingredients for a beautiful you.

     Carla is the author of the best selling book Feeding Your Skin, editor of Wellbeing Beauty Book and is the natural beauty columnist for Wellbeing Magazine. She is also the Goodwill Ambassador of Australian Organic. She also conducts Beauty Chef workshops in Sydney, guiding women on growing organic skin products in their gardens.

    So if you’re looking to start a cleansing regimen for your body, no need to go to the chemist and splurge on synthetic multi-vitamins. Inner Beauty Boosts and Powders by The Beauty Chef contain the same vitamins and minerals, in organic formulation - available exclusively in Hong Kong at Gourmet Skin Bar.

Given an Earthy Theme to your Kitchen with Bamboa Home

Bamboa Home is a unique retail boutique, as it houses products made exclusively from bamboo. Ecologically sustainable and economically feasible, Bamboa customers contribute to a greener, more people-friendly earth.

Bamboa Home offers a wide variety of products for domestic use or for decor. Bed linen, furniture, kitchen-wares and bathroom accessories are all made from real bamboo.

In Kitchen and Dining wares, Bamboa has complete dining sets for boys and girls and an assortment of bowls and dishes to serve food. Chopsticks in a variety of colours and prints are also available, and they add a pop of color to your tableware. Serving plates and fruit and snack bowls can also be used as kitchen decor items.

Current masterpiece on display is designed personally by Julia, CEO and Founder of Bamboa. The Fenetre Knife Holder is a smart, trendy kitchen accessory which can hide your knives, and keep them away from children. Julia has taken a conventional knife holder and given it a spin, using bamboo for its antibacterial properties. The dual colours in the shade of natural bark colors and the print give it a very earthy feel, and make it stand out in modern chrome-themed kitchens.

All profits are used for our Going Green initiative and for supporting various environmental projects., and all products are made by local craftsmen, who are financially supported through this venture.

Visit Bamboa store at PMQ and learn more about our products and projects.

Shop: S304, Tower A, 35 Aberdeen Street (PMQ) Central, Hong Kong

Shop Online:  http://www.bamboahome.com/

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NANNY Care First Infant Milk - Available for next day delivery in Hong Kong

Baby Central Hong Kong was created by two mothers to cater to the needs of the ever busy mothers. Supplies for kids require special attention, as there is no compromise on quality. With substandard and dupes available in the market, it is very important to find original products of brands. Baby supplies are not just limited to food, but also to clothes, diapers, baby carriers, books, toys, nursery furniture and training tools for eating. Baby Central is one smart hub for all your child’s accessories. Housing the best brands, all accessories for mother and children are available at Baby Central.

     Just last year mothers in Hong Kong were frantic for getting formula milk due to a severe shortage in the region. Other quality brands were selling milk at high prices, leaving mothers desperately looking for other options. With Baby Central, mothers need not worry about the search for quality formula milk. We are now stocking NANNYCARE UK First Infant Milk, which is a unique formula as it is derived from goat milk.

NANNYCARE Infant Milk is made from whole goat milk, and has been developed after 25 years of extensive research. Research has shown that goat milk is closest to mother’s milk, in comparison to cow milk, hence doctors now suggest milk formulas based on goat milk for mothers looking for substitute formulas. Nutritious and devoid of artificial ingredients, NANNYCare UK’s First Infant Milk is a good substitute for breastfeeding or combination feeding.

Baby Central also offers free next day delivery on products above $300, so you get the best products delivered to your doorstep. No need for mothers to visit different shops for different baby products - Baby Central is there so that you can spend quality time with your baby!

Shop Online: https://babycentral.com.hk/

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