Annual Meena Bazar

To break the barriers, to sensitize the masses, to combat stigma and discrimination and provide marginalized communities with a platform to showcase their skills and link them with the industrial sector, APLHIV organizes “Annual Meena Bazar” (Art & Craft Fare) since 2021.

This fare is organized in a central location in the heart of the Capital City of Islamabad where people from across Pakistan participate by showcasing their skills and turning these skills into a dignified source of income. In 2024, the number of stalls rose to around 60. APLHIV provides this facility without charging a single penny to the participants.

The activity is full of amusement for people of all ages and all walks of life—live music, trampolines, quiz competitions, food, live band plays, handicraft skills, vibrant cultural performances, puppet shows, face painting, and live cartoon characters are all part of the event. Such activities provide fun while sensitizing the masses on issues like HIV, mental health challenges, SRHR issues, and other myths that hinder accessibility to health services.

This event has proved to be one of the most effective tools in combating stigma and discrimination, paving the way to bring HIV and other health-related myths out of the shadows and into the public domain.

One of the events was graced by the then Human Rights Minister, Ms. Mishal Yasin, in 2023, and another by the Minister of State for Education & Professional Training (the then Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Planning Division and Special Initiatives) in 2024. Heads of UNAIDS and WHO Country Offices are regular dignitaries at the event. Thousands of people visit the Meena Bazar and are sensitized on sensitive issues.

Please visit www.facebook.com/APLHIV for more details and photos.