Compassion, Tolerance and Sensitivity (CATS) Campaign

The CATS campaign is designed to address stigma throughout Ethiopia and promote the development of a supportive environment for HIV/AIDS programmes and activities. The campaign initially focuses on the highest risk groups: taxi drivers, sex workers, and out of school youth.

The objective of CATS campaign was to challenge the attitudes that foster stigma, discrimination and prejudice against people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS. CATS is a campaign that encourages discussion on HIV/AIDS; provides information on the transmission of HIV/AIDS; and promotes compassion, tolerance, and sensitivity to those suffering from HIV/AIDS.

The eight musicians released a song to fight widespread stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV and AIDS. The singers, who are among the country's best-known vocalists, collaborated to produce the hit, which is broadcast on radio and television.

An Ethiopian poet Nebiy Mekonnen composed the song - called Compassion in Modernity - and music video. Musicians Gosaye Tesfye, Tadele Roba, Michael Belayneh, Haile Tadesse, Tsednya Gebre Markos, Abdu Kiyar, Birhanu Tezera, and Abinet Agonfir all joined forces to sing.

The project organisers believe the song will mobilise. They say, "the tone is very passionate and people will sing along with it naturally and then react accordingly. HIV/AIDS is not mentioned in the lyrics, but the song emphasises the importance of caring for each other."

HIV/AIDS

The project is the brainchild of anti-AIDS charity Family Health International (FHI). It is part of the campaign to promote caring and compassion for people living with the virus. FHI believes the song will help in the CATS campaign. The theme of the campaign is "Let's talk about what we do and do what we talk about" and is focused on some of Addis Ababa's highest risk groups.

The organisers say: "The campaign is targeted at out-of-school-youth, sex workers and taxi drivers, so we thought the best and most innovative way to get our message across was with a music video."