We owe our children – the most vulnerable citizens in any society – a life free from violence and fear.
Nelson MandelaRead
AIDS is no longer just a disease, it is a human rights issue.
Interpretation
What this quote means
AIDS transcends being merely a medical condition; it fundamentally concerns the rights and dignity of affected individuals.
Nelson Mandela emphasizes that the AIDS epidemic is not only a health crisis but also fundamentally a matter of human rights. This perspective challenges societies to recognize the vulnerability of those affected and the necessity of treating them with dignity, respect, and equality, thus urging a compassionate response that goes beyond medical treatment to include societal justice.
Themes
AidsHuman RightsHealthCompassionDignity
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech advocating for health equity, one may quote Mandela to highlight the importance of treating health issues as human rights.
More from Nelson Mandela
All quotes →What freedom am I being offered while the organization of the people remains banned? Only free men can negotiate. A prisoner cannot enter into contracts.
Nelson MandelaRead
The past is a rich resource on which we can draw in order to make decisions for the future, but it does not dictate our choices. We should look back at the past and select what is good, and leave behind what is bad.
Nelson MandelaRead
We signal that good can be achieved amongst human beings who are prepared to trust, prepared to believe in the goodness of people.
Nelson MandelaRead
After one has been in prison, it is the small things that one appreciates: being able to take a walk whenever one wants, going into a shop and buying a newspaper, speaking or choosing to remain silent. The simple act of being able to control one's person.
Nelson MandelaRead
I dream of the realization of the unity of Africa, whereby its leaders combine in their efforts to solve the problems of this continent. I dream of our vast deserts, of our forests, of all our great wildernesses.
Nelson MandelaRead
Similar quotes
In my human-rights work, perhaps the most important thing is gaining the trust of the victims.
Kerry KennedyRead
Everyone—all of us, every last person on God’s earth—deserves decent shelter. It speaks to the most basic of human needs—our home—the soil from which all of us, every last person, either blossom or wither. We each have need of food, clothing, education, medical care, and companionship; but first, we must have a place to live and grow.
Millard FullerRead
Violence against women in all its forms is a human rights violation. It's not something that any culture, religion or tradition propagates.
Michelle BacheletRead
Violence against women and girls touches every corner of the globe and is one of the world's most pervasive human rights violations.
Nazanin BoniadiRead
Yes, I am very unhappy, extremely anguished at human rights violations against Kashmiris in India or against Rohingyas in Burma or, for that matter, Christians in Orissa; but obviously, I am going to be more concerned of violations taking place in my own house because I am closer to the people who I live with. I have more passion for them.
Asma JahangirRead
I address a strong appeal from my heart that the dignity and safety of the worker always be protected.
Pope FrancisRead