MISS Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach has been appointed as the United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS or UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador for Asia and the Pacific.
“Knowledge is power. Knowledge is cool and I want young people to know the facts and stand up against human i mmunodeficiency virus,” Wurtzbach said. “I am honored that UNAIDS has given me a great platform to speak up for the AIDS movement, a cause which is close to my heart.”
Wurtzbach is involved in humanitarian affairs and very vocal in her advocacy to spread awareness of the stigma on HIV and AIDS.
She is also a staunch supporter of HIV/AIDS patients and the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
As goodwill ambassador, Wurtzbach will not just raise awareness among the millennials but will also campaign for zero discrimination.
“I am a messenger. I will use my voice to spread awareness through the huge number of people that are following me in social media,” Wurtzbach said.
“That is what I would like to use. We get our information from social media and with the young people following me, I am doing my part in spreading awareness.”
The director of UNAIDS Regional Support Team for Asia and the Pacific, Steve Kraus, is confident Wurtzbach will play a pivotal role to help lower the incidence of HIV and AIDS.
“First, get yourself tested, know your status,” Wurtzbach said.
“There are organizations that offer the test for free. You don’t need to show us your results. Then, if necessary, get yourself treated.”
In Asia and the Pacific, the new infections dropped by five percent among people of all ages between 2010 and 2015.
In 2015, young people accounted for 37 percent of new HIV infections.