RED RIBBON CLUBS (RRC)

Red Ribbon Club (RRC) Programme is a comprehensive promotional and preventive intervention to harness the potential of youth in educational institution, specifically to mainstream HIV & AIDS prevention, care & support and treatment and stigma reduction.

RRC in Nagaland:

On the 3^rd of August, 2006, under the initiative of the former Hon’ble Governor of Nagaland, Shri Shyamal Dutta, the Red Ribbon Club programme was launched in the state. This day marked a milestone in the continuing fight for HIV and AIDS. Currently, currently there are 108 existing Red Ribbon Clubs in various Colleges/Institutes throughout the state.

The targeted Youth population (15-29 years) is amongst the most vulnerable population who may be exposed to HIV infection, and as a result they may, account for a large portion of the infected persons.

Through Red Ribbon Clubs, the targeted Youth are encouraged to learn about safe and healthy lifestyle. The RRCs promote and channelize, access to information on HIV/AIDS, further educating them safe sexual behaviours. Red Ribbon Clubs also aim to enable the targeted Youth to become more conscious about HIV/AIDS and related issues to further act as change agents in the HIV/AIDS programme.

Aims and objectives of RRC

• To harnessthe potential of the youth by equipping them with correct information on HIV/AIDS Prevention, Care and Support and Treatment
• To buildtheir capacities as peer educators in spreading messages on positive health behavior in an enabling environment
• To reducenew HIV infection among youth by raising their risk perception through awareness on HIV/AIDS
• To induceamong youth, the spirit to help and support PLHIV, thereby reducing stigma and discrimination
• To motivateyouth and build their capacity as peer educators and be the agents of change by developing their skills on leadership, negotiation and team building.

Role of RRC

Red Ribbon Clubs are not bound to perform a set of duties or functions. However, some roles expected of them are:

Learn:

• The facts of HIV and AIDS
• About self-responsible behaviour
• About services available (from testing to treatment)
• Life skill development

Share:

• The truth about HIV and AIDS with their peers
• Encourage those involved in risky practices to avail services (eg. Refer a friend who uses drugs to one of our Drop-in-Centres for Drug Users)
• Carry out educational campaigns related to HIV and AIDS.
• Encourage others to attend lifeskill development programmes

Protect themselves & others:

• Choose abstinence or practice safe sex behavior. Remember, true love waits!
• Get tested for HIV, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

Strategies of RRC:

• In one financial year, the Red Ribbon Club nodal officer is to consult the institute authority and conduct atleast one activities such as awareness campaigns, leadership training as peer educators, intra and inter college/university competitions, organizing various HIV related programmes, seminars and competitions. Some of the important events to Observe and RRC Members to participate are:
•      National Youth day – 12^th January
•      International Youth Day – 12^th August
•      National Voluntary Blood Donation Day – 1^st October
•       World AIDS Day – 1^st December

Wanna Join?

If you want to be a member of the Red Ribbon Club, you can:

• Check with your College/Institute authority for membership. If it exists, the Nodal Officer for RRC will help you enroll.
• If your College/Institute has not formed one yet, request them to initiate one. (Contact the Nagaland State AIDS Control Society, for details)

What Next?

Red Ribbon Club (RRCs) can:

• Collect free IEC materials on HIV and AIDS messages related to youth and blood donation from service centres under NSACS
• Read up on the facts and myths of HIV, HIV testing etc;
• Hold RRC group discussions on HIV and AIDS, Stigma, Importance of HIV testing etc (make sure you don’t do it during class hours!)
• Conduct HIV awareness sessions in your college/institute
• Keep a record of your activities (picture, write-ups)
• Share what you have been doing. Email us at nagalandsacs@gmail.com or iecnagalandsacs@gmail.com

LIST OF RED RIBBON CLUBS IN NAGALAND