2007 Press Releases

Women's History Month: Mrs. Gwynneth Dieter Organizes HIV/AIDS Prevention and Empowerment Forum - March 15, 2007

(L-R) U.S. Ambassador Robert J. Dieter, Mrs. Gwynneth Dieter, Commercial Assistant Darlene Gentle, University of Belize Lecturer Gabriel Carrillo, Ministry of Development Officer Michele Irving, National AIDS Programme Director Dr. Marvin Manzanero and HIV/AIDS Researcher Alexis Dieter

The U.S. Embassy and the University of Belize (Belmopan campus) hosted a panel discussion on HIV/AIDS prevention for the community.  Mrs. Dieter wanted to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS, and to encourage young people to get tested and become personally empowered to prevent the spread of the virus.  Belize, which has one of the highest rates of HIV infection in Central America, has experienced a ‘feminization’ of the virus in the last few years.  In the 20 years since the first AIDS case was diagnosed in Belize, the male to female ratio of infection has changed from 5:1 to almost 1:1.  

The panel was comprised of four people with considerable experience in AIDS research, diagnosis, and counseling:  Dr. Marvin Manzanero, Director of the National AIDS Programme; Michele Irving, Women’s Development Officer in the Ministry of Human Development; Gabriel Carrillo, a lecturer in the University of Belize Department of Social Work; and Alexis Dieter, daughter of Ambassador and Mrs. Dieter and a fourth-year medical student who spent six months in South Africa working with AIDS researchers.  While their backgrounds and experiences were different, the panelists were unified in their call for students to think and act responsibly, protect themselves, get tested, and – most importantly – share information with their friends and family.
 
A number of local NGOs that work in HIV/AIDS prevention manned booths outside of the forum venue and distributed brochures, fact sheets, and other materials to interested students.  In addition, the Ministry of Health set up its mobile testing center on the University of Belize campus, offering counseling as well as free HIV tests.  At the end of the day, the Ministry of Health reported that over 79 people were tested.”