Tag: hiv

Read the original interview published on the Canadian Museum for Human Rights blog

Kidist Belete is the founder of Developing Families Together (DFT), an Ethiopian grassroots organization that works in women’s empowerment, orphan protection, HIV & AIDS prevention and care, and community development . She has contributed a lot to empowering women economically and socially in Ethiopia and is dedicated to working to improve the lives of women and children in underprivileged communities. DFT is a grantee partner of the African Women’s Development Fund.

Kidist will be participating in The Stephen Lewis Foundation’s Ask Her Talks.

What can be done to turn the tide against HIV/AIDS? HIV is the world’s leading infectious killer; it is estimated by UNAIDS that in sub-Saharan Africa alone, some 24.7 million people were living with HIV in 2013. This disease not only affects the health of individuals – it damages families and communities, preventing social development and economic growth. HIV/AIDS threatens people’s most basic human rights.

If we are to understand how to combat this global epidemic, we need the knowledge of those who are on the frontlines in this crisis. This is why the Museum features an exhibit about the Canadian and African Grandmothers who are working to combat this disease. It is also why the Stephen Lewis Foundation has organized the Ask Her Talks. The talks are a unique opportunity to hear a group of African women experts speak about their work combatting HIV/AIDS. I recently had the chance to ask Kidist Belete about HIV/AIDS, human rights and why we need to listen to the voices of African women who are on the ground fighting this disease.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and why you are speaking in the Ask Her Talks?

My name is Kidist Belete. I live in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. About 12 years ago, I worked as a gender officer in an organization that coordinates the charitable and development-related work of the Orthodox Church of Ethiopia. It was there I developed increasing sensitivity to the distinctive nature of the adversities faced by women in the poorest and most marginalized social settings. That is the sensitivity that I took with me into the fight against HIV/AIDS. I came into that fight when the social dislocations caused by HIV/AIDS began to appear in my neighborhood. I was, in a way, drafted by the community into the fight. I have not left the battlefield since.

I am speaking at this forum because my experience and the experience of my small organization puts a face on the fight against HIV/AIDS. I believe the real-life experiences that I talk about give a human touch to our collective efforts against this monster of a problem. I think that human touch sends a message that can’t be conveyed in conventional ways such as proposals, reports, and statistical compilations of progress.

What makes the Ask Her Talks different from other talks focused on AIDS?

The difference is that it brings to the forefront women who are leading the fight against the pandemic. These can be women who are themselves HIV positive or who had to take responsibility for those who have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS. They can be women, like myself, who are working as founders and directors of grassroots organizations that mobilize and deploy resources that are needed for the fight. It can also be women who speak out on behalf of those who have been hit hard by HIV/AIDS but do not attract sufficient attention. These women also all live and work at the crucial juncture where HIV/AIDs and gender-based inequalities come together. We are not only women, but we also work with women. For these reasons I think our perspectives differ from others such as health or public policy professionals who predominate in other talks focused on HIV/AIDS.

What makes AIDS in Africa a human rights issue?

It is quintessentially a human rights issue due to the extensive morbidity and mortality that it causes. HIV/AIDS deprives people of their right to a healthy life and decimates their ability to provide resources that sustain life such as food, water and proper shelter. Health, food, water and shelter are basic human rights.

It is also a human rights issue because HIV/AIDS destroys families, leaves children and the elderly without caregivers, and unravels communities and social networks that sustain normal life in Africa. I believe the right to live as part of a social collectivity to which one belongs and contributes is a human right.

What can people do if they want to help with this important issue?

I think people can help by directly supporting those of us in the frontlines or by mobilizing support for us. They can do this individually or in groups, either directly by identifying which point of intervention accords with their sensibilities and the nature of the support that they can afford to give or, even better, by contributing to the resource pool of organizations such as the Stephen Lewis Foundation that have been in the fight against HIV/AIDS through some of the most innovative, carefully selected and well-informed avenues of intervention.

It is important to look beyond HIV/AIDS as a public health emergency, which it was a few years ago (and continues to be in many places even today). It is important also to remember that HIV/AIDS was and is a socioeconomic disaster of the highest magnitude. It has left children without parents and the elderly without any means of sustenance. We must keep in mind that we still have to protect vulnerable groups against infection and fight stigma attached to the infection. We must remember the fight is not over yet.

The Ask Her Talks take place in several cities, including Winnipeg on Wednesday, November 25, 2015 and Toronto on Tuesday December 1, 2015. More information is available at www.askhertalks.com.

 

[tp lang=”en” not_in=”fr”]Football and human rights education are a potent mix for the girls of Skillz Street, a program created by the Zimbabwe chapter of Grassroots Soccer, an NGO which uses football (soccer) to educate, inspire and mobilise young people against the spread of HIV.

Skillz Street, which is supported by the African Women’s Development Fund, creates a safe space for adolescent girls to play football, while taking action in their community and fostering vital conversations about sexual and reproductive health and rights.

‘It would be selfish of me not to recommend this program to my friends. It is an eye opening program,” said Olivia Muchemwa, a recent beneficiary.

Founded by four professional football players, Grassroot Soccer works with vulnerable 13-18 year olds through local coaches who equip them with the knowledge, skills and support to help them avoid contracting HIV. After the success of programmes in Zambia and South Africa, the group went on to create Skillz Street in Zimbabwe in 2010.

Using a gender- specific curriculum that teaches life skills and HIV prevention, one female coach works with a maximum of 10 girls, building trusting relationships that continue after completion of the programme. The programme emphasises soccer based activities and discussions on gender norms and cultural stigmas.

So far, 308 girls have graduated from the Skillz Street curriculum in Zimbabwe with an additional 20 girls recruited and trained to act as community role models. A number of participants opened about their experience with abuse and were given help towards recovery.

For many of the students Skillz Street has been formational for their lives and for their future relationships.

“We were taught how to express ourselves, how to say no and how to challenge what other people think, ‘ said Lisa Chiwawa, one of the participants.

Participants say they are in a better position to exercise their rights and be in safe, relationships with the opposite sex and demonstrate increased knowledge of the risks regarding older sexual partners and unprotected sex.

“I learnt that it’s never the victim’s fault to be raped,” Rachel Dliwayo, another direct beneficiary of Skillz Street confidently responded when asked how she had been empowered by the program.

In 2012, Women Deliver named Skillz Street as one of the top 10 of a list of top 50 education initiatives worldwide for girls and women.

Join us in supporting work like this by making a contribution to AWDF today![/tp]

[tp lang=”fr” not_in=”en”]Le football et l’éducation aux droits de l’homme sont une puissante combinaison pour les filles de Skillz Street, un programme créé par la branche de Grassroots Football au Zimbabwe , une ONG qui utilise le football (soccer) pour éduquer, inspirer et mobiliser les jeunes contre la propagation du VIH.

Skillz Street, qui est soutenu par le Fonds Africain de Développement de la Femme, crée un espace sûr pour que les adolescentes jouent au football, tout en prenant des mesures dans leur communauté et favorise les conversations essentielles sur la santé et les droits sexuels et reproductifs.

«Il serait égoïste de ma part de ne pas recommander ce programme à mes amis. C’est un programme qui fait ouvrir les yeux », a déclaré Olivia Muchemwa, une nouvelle bénéficiaire.

Fondée par quatre des joueurs de football professionnels, Grassroot Soccer travaille avec les jeunes vulnérables de 13-18 ans par le biais des entraîneurs locaux qui les dotent de connaissances, de compétences et les aident à éviter de contracter le VIH. Après le succès des programmes en Zambie et en Afrique du Sud, le groupe a continué en créant Skillz Street au Zimbabwe en 2010.

Un programme sexospécifique est utilisé pour enseigner des connaissances essentielles et la prévention au VIH, une entraîneuse travaille avec un maximum de 10 jeunes filles à la construction de relations de confiance qui continuent après l’achèvement du programme. Ce dernier met l’accent sur les activités basées sur le football et les discussions sur les normes de genre et la stigmatisation culturelle.

Jusqu’à présent, 308 filles ont obtenu leur diplôme du programme Skillz Street au Zimbabwe, à cela s’ajoutent 20 filles recrutées et formées pour agir comme des modèles dans la communauté. Un certain nombre de participantes se sont ouvertes à propos de leur expérience des abus et sont aidées à se reconstruire.

Pour beaucoup d’étudiantes Skillz Street a été formateur pour leur vie et pour leurs relations futures.

“Nous avons appris à nous exprimer, comment dire non et comment contester ce que les autres pensent” confit Lisa Chiwawa, l’une des participantes.

Les participantes déclarent qu’elles sont dans une meilleure position pour exercer leurs droits, pour être en sécurité, dans leurs relations avec le sexe opposé et ont une meilleure connaissance des risques concernant les partenaires sexuels plus âgés et les rapports sexuels non protégés.

«Je appris que ce n’est jamais la faute de la victime quand elle est violée,” répond confiante Rachel Dliwayo, autre bénéficiaire directe de Skillz Street, lorsqu’on lui a demandé comment elle avait été habilitée par le programme.

En 2012, Women Deliver a nommé Skillz Street parmi le top 10 de sa liste des 50 initiatives d’éducation dans le monde entier pour les filles et les femmes.[/tp]

 

This article was crossposted on Women Deliver

[tp lang=”en” not_in=”fr”]World AIDS Day Campaign

The African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) is putting out a call for its annual World AIDS Day Grant.

The World AIDS Day, is observed on the 1st of December every year. The day which is celebrated on or around the 1st of December every year is an opportunity to intensify awareness raising around HIV issues in diverse ways. The Campaign is dedicated to raising awareness of the HIV/AIDS Pandemic and to demonstrate global solidarity in the face of the pandemic. The campaign is an opportunity for all stakeholders to highlight the progress made and the challenges besetting the response to the pandemic as well as to encourage various stakeholders and government to facilitate progress in HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care around the world. For 2015, the global World AIDS Day theme is “Getting to Zero” by 2015 – Zero AIDS Related Deaths, Zero New Infections and Zero Discrimination.

In support of the 2015 World AIDS Day Campaign, AWDF would support innovate initiatives by small to medium sized women led organisations in Africa working to:

• Address stigma and discrimination against women living with HIV/AIDS
• Empower women living with HIV to participate effectively and take the lead in the HIV response in their various communities.
• Create the platform for women and girls to speak on women susceptibility to HIV infection and or issues affecting women living with HIV/AIDS

The World AIDS day grant is under the AWDF small grants programme. They are usually one off activities and events to commemorate the day.
Time frame for the call

The current call is opened from 10th August to 11th September 2015. Applicants are to send in proposals with innovative but effective strategies to address issues relating to the peculiar impact of HIV&AIDS on Women and girls.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicant Organisation:

• Must have been in existence for at least 3 years
• Must be duly registered, at least with its local government structure
• Must be led by a woman and have a focus on Women’s Rights
• Must have the needed organizational structures
• Must have an appreciable financial management system
• Must be capable of reporting back on the outcomes of the project
• Must be highly recommended by a donor agency, a grantee or partner of AWDF or the local government office
• Must complete the necessary application forms
• Must have an annual budget no more than $50,000

Grant Size & Period

The grant size is a $1,000. Therefore eligible projects should have a budget of not more than $1,000. The grant period will be for 4 months from the date of award.

How to Apply

Interested small to medium sized women rights organisations should send in their proposals using the required application guidelines to the AWDF secretariat via email to awdf@africlub.net/awdf; grants@africlub.net/awdf or post to:

The African Women’s Development Fund

Office: Plot 78 Ambassadorial Enclave, East Legon

Post: P.M.B CT 89 Cantonments, Accra, Ghana

Tel : +233 289 669 666

The applicant must also complete and include a financial management assessment forms and an outcome form, all downloadable here:

Application Guidelines: WORLD AIDS DAY Guidelines 2015 (1)/ JOURNEE MONDIALE DE LUTTE CONTRE LE SIDA- CANEVAS

Financial-Management-Assessment-Guidelines-ENGLISH/ Evaluation-Gestion-Financière-Directives-FRANCAIS

Framework for Measuring Outcomes / Cadre de mesure de Succes

Expectation

The successful applicant is expected to send in one comprehensive report highlighting the various activities, lessons learnt, stories and achievements of the project. The organisation must be able to document stories and lessons learnt for sharing with AWDF and other stakeholders. Labelled photographs of project activities in j-peg format should be attached to the report.

NOTE: Please note that this is a very competitive process and only organizations with innovative but effective strategies who will be supported. Only successful applicants will be contacted.[/tp]

[tp lang=”fr” not_in=”en”]Campagne de la Journée mondiale du sida

Le Fonds Africain de développement de la femme (AWDF) lance un appel pour sa Subvention pour la Journée mondiale contre le sida.

La Journée mondiale contre le sida, est observée le 1er Décembre de chaque année. La journée qui est célébrée chaque année le, ou autour du 1er Décembre est l’occasion d’intensifier la sensibilisation autour des questions du VIH de diverses manières. La campagne est dédiée à la sensibilisation à la pandémie du VIH/SIDA et de démontrer la solidarité mondiale face à la maladie. La campagne est une occasion pour toutes les parties prenantes de mettre en évidence les progrès accomplis et les défis qui assaillent la réponse à la pandémie ainsi que pour encourager les différentes parties prenantes et le gouvernement à faciliter les progrès en matière de VIH / SIDA de prévention, de traitement et de soins dans le monde entier. Pour 2015, le thème mondial de la Journée mondiale contre le sida est “Objectif zéro» d’ici 2015 – Zéro décès liés au SIDA, zéro nouvelles infections et zéro discrimination.

En l’appui de la campagne 2015 de la Journée mondiale contre le sida, AWDF soutient les initiatives innovantes des petites et moyennes organisations dirigées dirigées par des femmes en Afrique et travail à:

• Des discours contre la stigmatisation et la discrimination contre les femmes vivant avec le VIH / SIDA
• L’autonomisation des femmes vivant avec le VIH afin de participer efficacement et de prendre les devants dans la riposte au VIH dans leurs différentes communautés.
• Créer la plate-forme pour les femmes et les filles pour parler des femmes vulnérables à l’infection par le VIH et / ou aux questions touchant les femmes vivant avec le VIH / SIDA

La subvention de la journée mondiale contre le sida est sous le programme de petites subventions AWDF. Ce sont généralement des activités et des événements ponctuels pour commémorer la journée.

Délais pour l’appel d’offrez

L’appel en cours est ouvert à partir du 10 Août jusqu’au 11 Septembre 2015. Les candidats doivent envoyer des propositions avec des stratégies novatrices et efficaces pour traiter les questions relatives à l’impact particulier du VIH et du SIDA sur les femmes et les filles.

Critères d’éligibilité

L’Organisation candidate:

• Doit exister depuis au moins 3 ans
• Doit être dûment enregistrée, au moins avec sa structure de gouvernement local
• Doit être dirigée par une femme et avoir un accent sur les droits des femmes
• Doit avoir les structures organisationnelles nécessaires
• Doit avoir un système sensible de la gestion financière
• Doit être capable de faire un rapport sur les résultats du projet
• Doit être fortement recommandé par un organisme donateur, un bénéficiaire ou un partenaire d’AWDF ou le bureau du gouvernement local
• Doit remplir les formulaires de demande nécessaires
• Doit avoir un budget annuel ne dépassant pas $ 50 000

Taille de la subvention & Période

Le montant de la subvention est de 1000 $. Par conséquent les projets admissibles doivent avoir un budget de pas plus de 1000 $. La période de subvention sera pour 4 mois à compter de la date d’attribution.

Comment candidater

Les organisations pour le droit des femmes de petite ou taille moyenne doivent envoyer leur candidature en utilisant “l’Application guideline” appropriée au secrétariat d’AWDF par email à awdf@africlub.net/awdf; grants@africlub.net/awdf ou par voie postale à:

The African Women’s Development Fund

Office: Plot 78 Ambassadorial Enclave, East Legon

Post: P.M.B CT 89 Cantonments, Accra, Ghana

Tel : +233 289 669 666

Le demandeur doit également remplir et inclure un formulaire d’évaluation de la gestion et un formulaire de résultats, tous téléchargeables à partir d’ici:

Directives de candidature:

: WORLD AIDS DAY Guidelines 2015 (1)/ JOURNEE MONDIALE DE LUTTE CONTRE LE SIDA- CANEVAS

financial-Management-Assessment-Guidelines-ENGLISH/ Evaluation-Gestion-Financière-Directives-FRANCAIS

Framework for Measuring Outcomes / Cadre de mesure de Succes

 

Attentes

Le candidat retenu devra envoyer un rapport détaillé mettant en évidence les différentes activités, les leçons apprises, des histoires et des réalisations du projet. L’organisation doit être en mesure de documenter les histoires et les leçons apprises pour les partager avec AWDF et d’autres intervenants. Des photographies labellisées des activités du projet au format j-peg devront être jointes au rapport.

NOTE: S’il vous plaît noter que ceci est un processus très concurrentiel et seules les organisations ayant des stratégies novatrices mais efficaces seront appuyées. Seuls les candidats retenus seront contactés.[/tp]

 

Cross posted from Public Health Ambassadors Uganda

[tp lang=”en” not_in=”fr”]According to UNAIDS, more than 35 million people are now living with HIV, with over 3.2 million under the age of 15. In 2013, an estimated 2.1 million people were newly infected with HIV, with over 240,000 under the age of 15. Every day more than 5,700 people contract HIV, nearly 240 every hour, and in 2013, 1.5 million people died from AIDS. Since the beginning of the pandemic, nearly 78 million people have contracted HIV and close to 39 million have died of AIDS-related causes. In 2013, around 12.9 million people living with HIV (37% of the total) had access to antiretroviral therapy.

More than two-thirds (70%) of all people living with HIV, 24.7 million, live in sub-Saharan Africa including 91% of the world’s HIV-positive children. In 2013, an estimated 1.5 million people in the region became newly infected. An estimated 1.1 million adults and children died of AIDS, accounting for 73% of the world’s AIDS deaths in 2013.

The World AIDS Day is about increasing awareness, fighting stigma, improving education, mobilizing resources and raising funds to better our response to HIV and AIDS. 2.5 million people continue to be infected with HIV each year, with 2,400 young people newly infected every day. Raising awareness and knowledge of HIV is crucial to get these figures to zero. The World AIDS Day 2014 theme was “Getting to Zero in Africa- Africa’s Responsibility, Everyone’s Responsibility” resonating with the global themes (2012-16) Getting to Zero- Zero new HIV infections, Zero Discrimination and Zero AIDS-Related deaths.

In commemoration of World AIDS Day 2014, Public Health Ambassadors Uganda (PHAU) emphasized a holistic approach to the fight against HIV/AIDS. This emphasis is based on the five prevention strategies; Abstinence, Being faithful, Condom use, Elimination of Mother To Child Transmission of HIV (EMTCT), Safe Male Circumcision as well as routine HIV counseling and testing among singles and couples. However, the prevention strategies can only have positive impact through establishment of partnerships and synergies across different sectors and support from development partners.

We at Public Health Ambassadors Uganda (PHAU) in partnership with the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) organized the 1^st World AIDS Day Flash Mob in Uganda aimed at increasing awareness about the HIV prevention strategies; abstinence, being faithful, condom use, and elimination of mother to Child transmission of HIV (EMTCT), safe male circumcision as well as routine HIV counseling and testing among couples, using an edutainment, informative and performance arts approach.

Furthermore, with support from Uganda Cares, TASO Mulago, International Health Sciences University (IHSU), UAP Insurance, British Airways and A & S Electronics, young people received free voluntary counseling as well as testing (VCT) services and free condoms as their dual protection against HIV/AIDS, STIs and unplanned pregnancy.[/tp]

[tp lang=”fr” not_in=”en”]Selon l’ONUSIDA, plus de 35 millions de personnes vivent aujourd’hui avec le VIH, dont plus de 3,2 millions de moins de 15 ans. En 2013, on estime que 2,1 millions de personnes ont été nouvellement infectées par le VIH, avec plus de 240 000 individus de moins de 15 ans. Chaque jour plus de 5.700 personnes contractent le VIH, près de 240 chaque heure, et en 2013, 1,5 million de personnes sont mortes du sida. Depuis le début de la pandémie, près de 78 millions de personnes ont contracté le VIH et près de 39 millions sont décédées de causes liées au sida. En 2013, environ 12,9 millions de personnes vivant avec le VIH (37% du total) avaient accès à la thérapie antirétrovirale.

Plus des deux tiers (70%) de toutes les personnes vivant avec le VIH, 24,7 millions, vivent en Afrique sub-saharienne, dont 91% des enfants séropositifs du monde. En 2013, environ 1,5 millions de personnes dans la région ont été nouvellement infectées. On estime que 1,1 million d’adultes et d’enfants sont morts du sida, ce qui représente 73% des décès liés au SIDA dans le monde en 2013.

L’objectif de la Journée mondiale du sida est d’augmenter la sensibilisation, la lutte contre la stigmatisation, améliorer l’éducation, la mobilisation des ressources et la collecte de fonds pour améliorer notre réponse au VIH et au SIDA. 2,5 millions de personnes continuent d’être infectées par le VIH chaque année, avec 2.400 jeunes personnes nouvellement infectées chaque jour. La sensibilisation et la connaissance du VIH est cruciale pour obtenir ces chiffres équivalent à zéro. La Journée mondiale du sida 2014 dont le thème a été “Atteindre Zero: la responsabilité de Afrique- Afrique, la responsabilité de tous” en résonance avec les thèmes mondiaux (2012-16) Se rendre à zéro: Zéro nouvelle infection au VIH, zéro discrimination et zéro décès liés au sida.

En commémoration de la Journée mondiale contre le sida 2014, Public Health Ambassadors Uganda (PHAU) a souligné une approche globale de la lutte contre le VIH / sida. Cet accent est basé sur les cinq stratégies de prévention; Abstinence, fidélité, utilisation du préservatif, l’élimination de la transmission mère-enfant du VIH (EMTCT), circoncision masculine sécurisée ainsi que des conseils de routine sur le VIH et de dépistage chez les célibataires et les couples. Cependant, les stratégies de prévention ne peuvent avoir un impact positif à travers l’établissement de partenariats et de synergies entre les différents secteurs et le soutien des partenaires au développement.

Nous, à la Public Health Ambassadors Uganda (PHAU) en partenariat avec le Fonds Africain de Développement de la Femme (AWDF) avons organisé la 1ere Journée mondiale du sida de Flash Mob en Ouganda visant à accroître la sensibilisation sur les stratégies de prévention du VIH; abstinence, la fidélité, l’utilisation du préservatif, et l’élimination de la transmission mère-enfant du VIH (EMTCT), la circoncision masculine en toute sécurité ainsi que des conseils de routine et dépistage du VIH chez les couples, en utilisant une approche ludo-éducatif, informatif et arts de la scène.

En outre, avec le soutien de Uganda Cares, TASO Mulago, l’Université des sciences de la santé internationale (IHSU), UAP Insurance, British Airways et A & S Electronics, les jeunes ont reçu des conseils libre et volontaires ainsi que des services de dépistage (VCT) et des préservatifs gratuits étant une double protection contre le VIH / sida, les IST et les grossesses non planifiées.[/tp]

 

 

[tp lang=”en” not_in=”fr”]More so, empowering young people with HIV related information is also key in getting the figures to zero. Therefore, Public Health Ambassadors Uganda (PHAU) engaged five youth dance groups namely; Storm Riders Dance Crew, Kingdom Swagga Krew, Stormers, Chains Off Salsa group and Integrity Power to come up with an edutainment and informative flash mob with over 50 dancers with emphasis on the HIV prevention strategies as mentioned above which was staged at Colville Street, Kampala road at 5pm. The flash mob attracted over 500 young people working within and around the city center who provided the audience with thrilling and epic dance moves from the different dancers / participants. The dancers wore branded t-shirts with #Getting2Zero, #Everyone’sResponsibility message plus a drop down banner that was dropped with similar message.

We at Public Health Ambassadors Uganda (PHAU) believe that the #Getting2Zero Campaign will run throughout 2015 reaching out to the different regions of the country using an edutainment, informative and performance arts approach. This is because the spread or the fight is not a one day activity that should stop only on 1^st December, therefore the struggle continues and let’s join the fight against the HIV epidemic in Uganda.[/tp]

[tp lang=”fr” not_in=”en”]Plus encore, l’autonomisation des jeunes de l’information liée au VIH est également un élément clé pour obtenir des chiffres à zéro. Par conséquent, la Public Health Ambassadors Uganda (PHAU) a engagé cinq groupes de danse de jeunes à savoir; Storm Riders Dance Crew, Uni Swagga Krew, Stormers, Chaînes Off groupe Salsa et de l’intégrité de puissance à venir avec une flash mob ludo-éducative et informative avec plus de 50 danseurs en mettant l’accent sur les stratégies de prévention du VIH comme mentionné ci-dessus qui a été mis en scène à Colville Street, Kampala à 17 heures. La flash mob a attiré plus de 500 jeunes qui travaillent à l’intérieur et autour du centre-ville qui ont ravi le public avec de palpitantes et épiques mouvements de danse des différents danseurs / participants. Les danseurs portaient des t-shirts de marque avec # Getting2Zero, le message # Everyone’sResponsibility de plus une bannière déroulée qui a portait un message similaire.

Nous, à la Public Health Ambassadors Uganda (PHAU) nous croyons que la campagne de #Getting2Zero se déroulera tout au long de 2015 pour atteindre les différentes régions du pays en utilisant une approche ludo-éducative, informative et arts de la scène. Cela parce que la propagation ou la luttene sont pas des activités que d’une journée qui ne se limitent qu’au 1er Décembre, donc la lutte continue et nous allons rejoindre la lutte contre l’épidémie de VIH en Ouganda.[/tp]

 

 

 

[tp lang=”en” not_in=”fr”]By Eunice Kilonzo

On December 1, you may be one of the millions globally who will be wearing a red ribbon to mark World Aids Day. I will be wearing one in solidarity with about 16 million adults living with HIV are women according to the World Health Organisation. Further, according to Centre for Disease Control, Sub-Saharan Africa bears the biggest burden of HIV/AIDS, with almost 70% of the global total of new HIV infections for 2013. As a Kenyan, the HIV burden is tremendous as we are ranked fourth in the world in new infections.

For this piece, I will look at how AWDF has partnered with organizations advocating for women rights, and specifically those working on HIV/Aids.

One of these organisations is Cameroon Women’s Medical Association. According to statistics, in at least four out of ten Cameroonians between the ages of 15-49, are living with HIV. In addition, about 57% of the 1.47 million pregnant women living with HIV in the French speaking country are estimated to received most regimens of antiretroviral medicine to prevent mother-to-child transmission.

To take this discussion further, I interviewed the Cameroon Women Medical Association head Dr Gladys Enih Fosah Tayong.

Q: What does World AIDs Day it mean to your organisation?

Our organisation runs with the theme “Focus, Partner, Achieve: An AIDS-free Generation.” Therefore, each year we look at our contributions to national and global responds to HIV in a bid to provide a comprehensive HIV/AIDS package.

During the day we carry out activities like voluntary counseling and testing, HIV /AIDS awareness campaigns, and radio talks on the national radio, television spots. Our ongoing projects include counseling/referrals and capacity building for staff on HIV.

Q: Most African countries reported their first HIV cases in the early 1980’s. That makes the condition over 30 years old. What has been your memorable moment in HIV intervention?

Our HIV/AIDS counselor had a case last year during a voluntary counseling and testing campaign.

After pre-test counseling, blood collection and analysis, the results of the married woman were positive. During the post-test counseling, the lady cried: “Oh God why me? What will I tell my husband? How will I live my life? It’s better to die than to live.”

Her husband was called up for couple counseling and was also encouraged to take the test. He was negative. This discordant result made the husband to accuse his wife of infidelity.

It has been difficult for the couple to live together. However, our continuous follow up has encouraged the husband to accept his wife’s positive status.

Q: How is prevalent is HIV infections through mother to child transmission in Cameroon?

In 2013 Nationally, HIV transmission from mother to child when child is tested at six weeks of age is 6.3% and 6.7% in the North West region where we are.

Our minister of public health signed a ministerial order that ensures that when pregnant women are tested positive for HIV they are immediately given ART. This we believe will reduce the MTCT of HIV.

Very few HIV positive Women do not breastfeed their babies in Cameroon. HIV positive women are encouraged to adopt exclusive breastfeeding for six months.

Q: Do women who do not breastfeed their children face stigma?

Yes, their family members, especially mother in-laws and friends, ostracize those that do not breastfeed. Consequently, their infants have a greater risk of dying of diarrhea and other causes that are not related to HIV.

Q: What myths and cultural practices make your work difficult?

People still believe it is not possible for a discordant couple to live together and have HIV negative babies. The women suffer the highest effect as their husbands who are negative, neglect them for other women or bring in other woman who will satisfy them sexually. This triggers domestic and sexual violence.

Also when we talk on women’s sexual rights it seems we are bringing in a bad practice. In Cameroon, a woman is suppose to be very humble when it comes to sex, while the man is the one to insist on when to have sex, when to use condoms, use of contraceptives, and even number of children to have.

Q: How has the assistance from AWDF helped you promote the rights of African Women on the African Continent?

African Women Development Fund is currently one of our main partners, and they have greatly contributed to the success of our organization in terms of programs, organizational growth and impact on our target population.

We received funding for World AIDS day activities in 2011, and another funding to reinforce the sexual and reproductive health and economic empowerment of women living with HIV in 2012/2013. We have signed a new agreement for the 2nd phase of the project to scale up interventions to reinforce the sexual and reproductive health and economic status of Women living with HIV.

Q: The impact made so far?

Through these diverse support programs, over 700 people have known their status, informed on safe sex practices. We have been able to give loans to 10 women living with HIV positive.

The economic empowerment of HIV positive women is one of the most successful interventions because this has reduced beneficiary dependence on our organization for medical and nutritional support. Indirect beneficiaries like the children of women living with HIV are able to go to school and feed well.

Q: Any challenges?

The major challenge we face in this program is that some of the loan beneficiaries often fall sick and are unable to engage in business for some period of time.

However, we support them to access timely treatment for their opportunistic infections.

Q: What does the future means for your organization?

We intend to reach out to commercial sex workers on HIV treatment and care services. On the same, we seek to create a rehabilitation center for children of sex workers in order to ensure the children rights are respected and basic needs such as education, health, clothing feeding is provided.

Develop a family planning program to subsidize family planning devices for women.

Voices of the loan beneficiaries:

Che Judith

I have been living with HIV for 6 years. I identified myself with CMWA a year now. I received 200,000 francs from CMWA and I was told it was provided by AWDF. I have used the money to improve my traditional dress marking business.

I have been able to buy more materials and I can now produce all types of traditional clothes and caps that I now sell to even international customers. It is good that this organisation works with women who are of HIV and provides support in many forms such as monetary and psychosocial.

I am also able to take care of my medical bills and schooling for my children. I am very grateful.

 

Elizerbirth Mah

I am a hairdresser, living with HIV for 8 years. I became a member of CMWA a year ago. I am a beneficiary of this loan that is interest free. I was doing hair dressing with very little capital, but when I got the loan, I was able to buy more artificial hair and saloon equipment. I can now serve my customers better. I can also generate enough income to take care of my newborn baby who I exclusively breastfeed and my medical follow up.

Secondly, I have benefited knowledge on how to have an HIV negative child. While I was still ignorant on HIV and how to prevent mother to child transmission, I had two babies and they all died after delivery.

I decided never to have children again. I was encouraged by my friend who was working with CMWA to come and join them, I reluctantly did it but while participating in the support group meetings. I was educated on how to have an HIV negative child. My CD4 count was 788 and my doctor advised me to have another baby, which I did. Her HIV status will be confirmed next month.

 

Efu Rose

I have been living with HIV for the past 3 years. Due to my poor health, I could not engage myself into productive activities. I started drying and selling vegetables. When I got the loan, I bought a machine and more fresh vegetables. Since then, the business has flourished very well and I supply in wholesale and also to “bush fallers” who come from abroad. The contribution of the loan to my family income cannot be overemphasised.

 

NB .All pictures taken with consent of beneficiaries

Utility:

1. http://www.unaids.org/en/regionscountries/countries/cameroon
2. Cameroon HIV and AIDS estimates(2013)

• Number of people living with HIV: 600,000 [560,000 – 650,000]
• Adults aged 15 to 49 prevalence rate: 4.3% [4.0% – 4.6%]
• Adults aged 15 and up living with HIV: 510,000 [470,000 – 550,000]
• Women aged 15 and up living with HIV: 300,000 [280,000 – 320,000]
• Children aged 0 to 14 living with HIV: 94,000 [83,000 – 110,000]
• Deaths due to AIDS: 44,000 [40,000 – 48,000]
• Orphans due to AIDS aged 0 to 17: 510,000 [140,000 – 560,000][/tp]

[tp lang = “fr” not_in = “fr”] Par Eunice Kilonzo

Le 1er Décembre, vous serez surement l’un des millions dans le monde qui va porter un ruban rouge pour marquer la Journée mondiale du sida. Je porterai un en solidarité avec environ 16 millions d’adultes vivant avec le VIH qui sont des femmes, selon l’Organisation mondiale de la Santé. En outre, selon le Center for Disease Control, l’Afrique sub-saharienne porte le plus lourd fardeau du VIH / sida, avec près de 70% du total mondial des nouvelles infections au VIH en 2013. Comme Kenyane, le fardeau du VIH est énorme car nous sommes classés quatrième dans le monde des nouvelles infections.

Pour ce billet, je vais regarder comment AWDF a établi un partenariat avec des organisations plaidant pour les droits des femmes, et en particulier ceux qui travaillent sur le VIH / sida.

L’une de ces organisations est de Cameroon Women’s Medical Association. Selon les statistiques, au moins quatre sur dix Camerounais âgés de 15-49 ans, vivent avec le VIH. En outre, environ 57% des 1,47 million de femmes enceintes vivant avec le VIH dans le pays d’expression française sont sensées avoir reçus la plupart des régimes de médicaments antirétroviraux pour prévenir la transmission mère-enfant.

Pour pousser cette discussion plus loin, j’ai interviewé la Directrice de Cameroon Women Medical Association Dr Gladys Enih Fosah Tayong.

Q: Que signifie la Journée mondiale contre le sida pour votre organisation?

Notre organisation fonctionne avec le thème “Focus, partenaire, réaliser: une génération sans sida”. Par conséquent, chaque année, nous regardons nos contributions à une réponse nationale et mondiales au VIH dans le but de fournir un paquet complet du VIH / SIDA.

Pendant la journée, nous effectuons des activités comme le conseil et le dépistage volontaire, des campagnes de sensibilisation au VIH / sida, et de causeries à la radio sur la radio nationale, et des spots télévisés. Nos projets en cours comprennent le conseil / l’orientation et le renforcement des capacités pour le personnel sur le VIH.

 

 

 

 

Q: La plupart des pays africains ont signalé leurs premiers cas de VIH dans le début des années 1980. Cela ramène la situation à plus de 30 ans. Quel a été votre moment mémorable dans l’intervention du VIH?

Notre conseiller VIH / SIDA a eu un cas l’année dernière lors d’une campagne de conseil et de dépistage volontaire.

Après un conseil pré-test, la collecte de sang et l’analyse, les résultats d’une femme mariée ont été positifs. Pendant le conseil post-test, la dame a pleuré: “Oh mon Dieu, pourquoi moi? Que vais-je dire à mon mari? Comment vais-je vivre ma vie? Il vaut mieux mourir que de vivre “.

Son mari a été appelé pour le conseil de couple et a également été encouragé à passer le test. Il était négatif. Ce résultat discordant a poussé le mari à accuser sa femme d’infidélité.

Il a été difficile pour le couple de vivre ensemble. Cependant, notre suivi continu a encouragé son mari à accepter la séropositivité de sa femme.

Q: Quelle est l’importance des infections par le VIH par la transmission mère-enfant au Cameroun?

En 2013, à l’échelle nationale, la transmission du VIH de la mère à l’enfant lorsque l’enfant est testé à six semaines est de 6,3% et de 6,7% dans la région du Nord-Ouest où nous sommes.

Notre ministre de la santé publique a signé un arrêté ministériel qui assure que lorsque les femmes enceintes sont testées positives pour le VIH, elles sont immédiatement données ART. Ce qui nous croyons permettra de réduire la transmission mère-enfant du VIH.

Très peu de femmes séropositives n’allaitent pas leurs bébés au Cameroun. Les femmes séropositives sont encouragées à adopter l’allaitement maternel exclusif pendant six mois.

Q: Est-ce que les femmes qui n’allaitent pas leurs enfants font face à la stigmatisation?

Oui, les membres de leur famille, en particulier mère-parents et amis, ostracisent celles qui n’allaitent pas. Par conséquent, leurs enfants ont un plus grand risque de mourir de diarrhée et d’autres causes qui ne sont pas liés au VIH.

 

 

 

Q: Quels mythes et pratiques culturelles rendent votre travail difficile?

Les gens croient toujours qu’il est impossible pour un couple discordant de vivre ensemble et avoir des bébés VIH négatifs. Les femmes souffrent plus de cet effet que leurs maris qui sont négatifs, les négligent pour d’autres femmes ou apportent d’autres femme qui vont les satisfaire sexuellement. Cela déclenche de la violence domestique et sexuelle.

Aussi, lorsque nous parlons des droits sexuels des femmes, il semble que nous apportons dans une mauvaise pratique. Au Cameroun, une femme est supposée être très humble quand il en est du sexe, tandis que l’homme est le seul à insister sur le moment pour avoir des relations sexuelles, sur quand utiliser des préservatifs, quand utiliser des contraceptifs, et même le nombre d’enfants à avoir.

Q: Comment l’aide d’AWDF vous a aidé à promouvoir les droits des femmes africaines sur le continent africain?

Fonds africain de développement de la femme est actuellement l’un de nos principaux partenaires, et ils ont grandement contribué au succès de notre organisation en termes de programmes, la croissance organisationnelle et l’impact sur la population ciblée.

Nous avons reçu un financement pour les activités de la Journée mondiale de lutte contre le sida en 2011, et un autre financement pour renforcer la santé sexuelle et reproductive et l’autonomisation économique des femmes vivant avec le VIH en 2012/2013. Nous avons signé un nouvel accord pour la 2ème phase du projet à l’échelle les interventions visant à renforcer la santé sexuelle et reproductive et le statut économique des femmes vivant avec le VIH.

 

 

 

Q: L’impact jusqu’ici?

Grâce à ces programmes de soutien divers, plus de 700 personnes ont connu leur statut et ont été informées sur les pratiques sexuelles sûres. Nous avons été en mesure d’accorder des prêts à 10 femmes vivant avec le VIH positif.

L’autonomisation économique des femmes séropositives est l’une des interventions les plus efficaces parce que cela a réduit la dépendance du bénéficiaire sur notre organisation pour le soutien médical et nutritionnel. Les bénéficiaires indirects comme les enfants de femmes vivant avec le VIH sont en mesure d’aller à l’école et de bien se nourrir.

Q: Des défis?

Le défi majeur auquel nous sommes confrontés dans ce programme est que certains des bénéficiaires de prêts tombent souvent malades et sont incapables d’exercer son activité pendant une certaine période.

Cependant, nous les soutenons pour accéder à un traitement en temps opportun pour leurs infections opportunistes.

Q: Qu’est-ce que signifie l’avenir pour votre organisation?

Nous avons l’intention d’atteindre les travailleurs du sexe sur les services de traitement et de soins du VIH. Sur le même plan, nous cherchons à créer un centre de réadaptation pour les enfants des travailleurs du sexe afin de garantir que les droits des enfants sont respectés et les besoins de base tels que l’éducation, la santé, l’alimentation soit fournie comme les vêtements.

Élaborer un programme de planification familiale pour subventionner les dispositifs de planification familiale pour les femmes.

 

Voix des bénéficiaires de prêts:

Che Judith

Je vis avec le VIH depuis 6 ans. Je me suis identifiée avec ACFM il y un an maintenant. J’ai reçu 200.000 francs d’ACFM et on m’a dit qu’il a été fourni par AWDF. Je l’ai utilisé pour améliorer mon entreprise de robes traditionnelles.

Je suis en mesure d’acheter plus de matériel et je peux maintenant produire tous les types de vêtements traditionnels et casquettes que je vends maintenant même à des clients internationaux. Il est bon que cette organisation travaille avec les femmes qui sont atteintes du VIH et apporte son soutien à de nombreuses formes telles que les politiques monétaire et psychosociale.

Je suis également capable de prendre soin de mes factures médicales et la scolarisation pour mes enfants. Je suis très reconnaissante.

 

 

Elizerbirth Mah

 

Je suis coiffeuse, vivant avec le VIH depuis 8 ans. Je suis devenue un membre de ACFM il ya un an. Je suis une bénéficiaire de ce prêt qui est sans intérêt. Je faisais de la coiffure avec très peu de capital, mais quand j’ai été prête, j’ai pu acheter plus de cheveux artificiels et de l’équipement pour le salon. Je peux maintenant mieux servir mes clients. Je peux aussi générer suffisamment de revenus pour prendre soin de mon bébé nouveau-né que j’allaite exclusivement et mon suivi médical.

Deuxièmement, j’ai profité des connaissances sur la façon d’avoir un enfant séronégatif. Pendant que j’étais encore ignorante sur le VIH et la façon de prévenir la transmission mère-enfant, j’ai eu deux bébés, et ils sont tous morts après l’accouchement.

J’ai décidé de ne jamais avoir à nouveau des enfants. Je suis encouragée par mon ami qui travaillait avec ACFM à se joindre à eux, je l’ai fait à contrecoeur, mais tout en participant à des réunions de groupes de soutien. Je me suis instruite sur la façon d’avoir un enfant séronégatif. Mon compte de CD4 était de 788 et mon médecin m’a conseillé d’avoir un autre bébé, ce que je fis. Son statut VIH sera confirmée le mois prochain.

 

Efu Rose

 

Je vis avec le VIH depuis les 3 dernières années. En raison de mon mauvais état de santé, je ne pouvais pas m’engager dans des activités productives. J’ai commencé à sécher et à vendre des légumes. Quand j’ai été prête, j’ai acheté une machine et des légumes frais. Depuis lors, l’entreprise a très bien prospéré et je fournir en gros et aussi pour “chuteurs de brousse” qui viennent de l’étranger. La contribution de l’emprunt à mon revenu familial ne peut pas être surestimée.

 

 

NB .Tous photos ont été prises avec le consentement des bénéficiaires

Utile:

1. http://www.unaids.org/en/regionscountries/countries/cameroon
2. Estimations Cameroun VIH et le SIDA (2013)
– Nombre de personnes vivant avec le VIH: 600 000 [560 000 – 650 000]
– Les adultes âgés de 15 à 49 ans le taux de prévalence: 4,3% [4,0% – 4,6%]
– Adultes âgés de 15 ans et plus vivant avec le VIH: 510 000 [470 000 – 550 000]
– Les femmes âgées de 15 et plus vivant avec le VIH: 300 000 [280 000 – 320 000]
– Les enfants âgés de 0 à 14 ans vivant avec le VIH: 94 000 [83 000 – 110 000]
– Décès dus au sida: 44000 [40000 – 48000]
– Orphelins à cause du SIDA 0 à 17 ans: 510 000 [140 000 – 560 000][/tp]

Negemelelakennew HIV Positive Women Support Organization (NLK) is a much needed space for women living positively in Ethiopia. The African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) has provided NLK with US$80,000 in grants since 2007. AWDF’s grant making and capacity building support to NLK has included supporting the leadership of the organisation to strengthen their resource mobilisation skills by participating in the International Workshop on Resource Mobilisation, and supporting NLK’s economic empowerment activities which has included supporting the purchase of sewing machines, and training women living positively in sewing and knitting skills.

Recently NLK went through a leadership transition and Ms Beteleheam Ashebir, former General Manager, in an email to AWDF stated:

“At the time of NLK’s conception as village level consultation and experience sharing meeting group of 5 HIV positive women, we did not realize that one day NLK would become a large organization reaching thousands of women and children infected and affected by HIV/AIDS; today but, NLK has grown-up to be one of successful front liner reputable charity organization in changing the tide of HIV/AIDS in the countrywide grass root communities of Ethiopia. Beloved sisters, all these development and achievements would have been never possible without generosity support of several international and national compassionate donors such as African Women Development Fund (AWDF), Stephen Lewis Foundation (SLF), World Learning- USAID, Global Fund for Women, Global Fund, Volunteer Services Over Seas (VSO), Federal HIV/AIDS Control Office (FHAPCO); and People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) Networks. On behalf of our HIV/AIDS infected and affected target groups we are dedicated to work for life time; we value, appreciate and heartily thank forever these partners. Indeed, I cannot have enough words ever to thank our most respected donors- African Women Development Fund (AWDF),World Learning- USAID and Stephen Lewis Foundation(SLF) for their long term incredible dedication and devotion to the cause of NLK women from the past to present and future as well I believe. Indeed, the lion’s share of NLK’s achievements belongs to them.”

AWDF is honoured to have had the opportunity to work with NLK. We especially thank Ms Beteleheam Ashebir for her hard work, sacrifice and dedication to improving the quality of life for thousands of Ethiopian women living positively. AWDF is especially impressed with the rigourous steps the NLK has taken to ensure a smooth leadership transition. A testimony of the impact of Beteleheam Ashebir’s work is evident in the letter sent to AWDF by Ms Rahel Gizachew Demussie, NLK’s new General Manager.

The letter is shared in full below with the permisson of Rahel.

*******************************************************************************************************************************************************

Dear Beatrice and all colleagues at AWDF;

Kindly allow me to introduce myself. My Name is Rahel Gizachew Demessie the new General Manager of NLK since June 22, 2013 succeeding Mrs. Betheleheam Ashabir. Dear Colleagues, firstly, I would love to share on my association to NLK and Mrs. Betheleheam Ashabir long before the current transition.

I knew Mrs. Betheleheam Ashabir before we co-founded NLK with other three sisters in 2005. I met Betheleheam for first time late 2003, when she was teaching positive living for People living with HIV/AIDS to general patients at waiting room of a hospital in Addis Ababa. That day was not the first day I went to Hospital to consult my physician about my Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART), but it was the first day; I saw a confident HIV Positive women speaking out openly about HIV/AIDS from her own experiences.

Influenced by her speech, I approached and told her after teaching session, about my distressful life due my HIV status. That time I was 20 and dropped out of school upon learning my status six months before. My status was confidential, nobody even my parents, but only the physician I was being supported at the Hospital. That day, I confidentially requested Bethlehem, if she could be help and advise me on perspective of future life and hopes as I was young and HIV positive. Bety replied, “Rahel, you know I am also HIV positive women, does not matter, we can still live positively and help ourselves and even others, we can still make difference, we can still live for purpose, strictly follow the advice of your therapists and Adhere to your ART, be strong, Tomorrow is Another Day”.

Then, I left to my home. That night though I went to my bed I could not sleep as my mind repeating her words as “tomorrow is another day, I can live and help myself and even others. Dear Colleagues, I cannot tell enough how much I was inspired by her responses. Her inspiring respond to my questions did pour power into my soul; changed my long perspective of self-worthless for optimism of bright future and purposeful life

A few weeks later, I went back to Betheleheam to thank her for her inspiring responses to my questions on the earlier week. I told her since that day, my soul filled with power and hope; my worthless self-perspective had been changed. In response to my feedback, Bety jumped up with joy, “Yes, Yes” she said. She was extremely happy about the new experience and change in my life shortly. She happily said to me, “thank you Rahel! Now I advise you to restore to your education and I need you to work together in future on purpose as well” Six months later, she organized us with 4 HIV positive women in the community whom she knew taught at the hospital to work together in future to support other women living with HIV/AIDS in our communities. Then, with no delay, we got to discussion on how we would go ahead to realize our dream. Shortly; we formed ourselves as village level consultation and experience sharing meeting volunteer group and started with confidence speaking out to families, neighbors, friends, relatives and the community members that we were all HIV positive, but we wanted to provide consultation and share our experiences to save the new generation from HIV/AIDS.

At that onset, I cannot tell enough the extent of hardship we faced from our own families and community members for doing that. We were blamed, Judged, and labeled. Besides, there were many who abusively ridiculed us. Nevertheless, under the dedicated leadership of Betheleheam, all the challenges could not stop as from moving forward; selflessly, we continued be involved in a wide variety of activities at all levels of the fight against AIDS; from appearing on posters, bearing personal testimony, and supporting and counseling others.

That selfless commitment gradually resulted into remarkable changes. We could be able drew attention of most community members and local support providers after one year of such tough work. Subsequently, we could be able to upgrade our village confined experience sharing and consultation group to “HIV positive women support association” which we called NLK is Acronyms which stands for “NEGEM LELA KEN NEW” in Amharic which means “Tomorrow is another day” in English.

In 2006, the meeting group (now NLK) with a membership of 70 infected women gained NGO status with legal registration by the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia charities and Societies Agency. It further entered into Project Agreements with the respective bureaus of Addis Ababa City Administration, Amhara and Oromiya Regional National States of Ethiopia in 2006 which has been renewed every three years and renewed this year up to 2015 as well. As April of 2013, the organization’s membership is in excess of 1200 members, associate members and 2200 volunteers of which women account for 90%. NLK has a General Assembly which has supreme power over all corporate matters and has 19 members with wide ranging experiences; and has a clearly articulated constitution which governs all of its’ activities.

Today, NLK operates through a National Secretariat in Addis Ababa and has three regional offices located in Ambo Town of Oromiya Regional National State, Shewa Robit and Ataye towns in Amhara Regional National State. NLK’s activities in Addis Ababa are focused in Gulele and Addis Ketema Sub Cities. In addition, NLK has three IGA training centers for training all beneficiaries.

Currently, NLK has equipped with qualified and well experienced 19 employees. Luckily, the NLK staffs are reliable and most dedicated to the shared vision of NLK. I cannot tell enough their earnest feeling of organizational ownership, devotion, belongingness, flexibility and ability. They are outstanding performers independently and as Team. That is why we call them always “The NLK Team!”

Today NLK become a meaningful organization reaching thousands of women, grandmothers and children infected and affected by HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia. Indeed, many thanks to our national and international compassionate partners, including our respected donor African Women Development Fund (AWDF) without their generosity and dedication to our effort all would have been impossible.

Dear Colleagues, on this historical transition I am really proud of Betheleheam as she is leaving us on good foundation. Going forward, however, we still aware of waiting tough work and commitment as NLK continues to respond to truly curb the impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in our communities. On this regard, during working with Betheleheam on the transition process, I was informed many programmatic and institutional issues seek attention prospectively. Among others, diversifying the resource base of NLK and enhance its ability to garner adequate resources required for executing projects that is going to be undertaken in order to meet the need of our target affected and infected women, grandmothers and OVCs as in our strategic objectives, establishing NLK’s own building which will serve for offices and all IGA centers at one center… and ensuring NLK’s long term sustainability are most attention seeking priorities.

Going forward, therefore, primarily, we continue engage in aggressive executive board, management and staff, involvement in effort of local resource mobilization; on this regard, the current resource mobilization strategy developed plan through the compassionate assistance of AWDF will be our guiding tool. Moreover, we continue work hard to strengthen ties with our existing financiers of NLK’s national and International Organizations whilst continue more assessing the interest of national and international donors financing in the area of HIV/AIDS and proactively designing and proposing projects that are acceptable to them.

Dear colleagues, I regret to take much of your time on this, but I feel to ensure our partners keep well informed on this transition process and our way going forward. Thank you so much indeed for your understanding, cooperation and continued dedication to NLK and our target needy HIV/AIDS infected and affected poor women and children we continue work for with full commitment and dedication.

Warmly Regards

Rahel Gizachew Demessie
General Manager
Negemelelakennew HIV Positive Women Support Organization,(NLK)

In this interview, Happy Gloria, Executive Director of ‘Busia Community Based Services’ (BUCOSS) in Kenya speaks to Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah of the AWDF on some of the detrimental cultural practices contributing to the spread of HIV and AIDS in Busia, Kenya. Here she shares details of the innovative ways in which BUCOSS has been working to change these cultural practices. This interview was conducted on the sidelines of AWDF’s recent strategic meeting on economic empowerment and livelihoods in Cape Town, South Africa.

Click link below to listen to this audio interview:

Happy Gloria of Busia Community Based Service

“AWDF’s support towards CAFENEC has been immense and immeasurable. AWDF’s support has opened more promising avenues to CAFENEC. The impact made by the AWDF funded widowhood rites project, has attracted partners such as GTZ/GIZ and Partnership Transparency Fund to also support CAFENEC’s activities in diverse ways. As a result of AWDF’s support, CAFENEC is now known all over the international circles.” Lyddienne Nkaleu, National President, Committee d’ Assistance a la Femme Necessiteuse du Cameroon (CAFENEC)

 

For many of AWDF’s grantee partners across the continent, AWDF has been their first funder. AWDF’s support to community-based organisations strengthens existing groups which grantees are able to leverage to generate additional resources and support as exemplified by the quote above.

In 2010, AWDF provided CAFENEC with a grant of US$15,000 to support women farmers and traders, many of whom are women are living positively. Out of the grant received, CAFENEC purchased 2 grain grinding mills, 2 vegetable grinding mills, 2 mills for grinding groundnuts and melon seeds, 1 grater for grinding gari, (a derivative of cassava) and 8 spraying machines. Four subsidiary women’s groups (representing 42 women in total) benefited from micro credit loans of CFA 500,000 (approx. US$1000) to CFA 800,000 (approx. US$1600). The credit received has enabled women traders to engage in small-scale businesses, which include catering services and animal husbandry.

Members of CAFENEC report that starting small businesses have also given their self-confidence a boost. Many members who had previously not travelled outside their own villages now visit larger towns to trade. Women farmers are now able to provide themselves and their families with at least one nutritious meal a day. As a result the health of women living positively within the group has improved, members fall sick less often and as a result have seen a reduction in the stigma they faced from family and other members of the community.

Today was the finale for the XVIII International Aids Conference and an appropriate time to reflect on all that I have learnt, seen and heard over the past week. This is the second International Aids Conference I have attended; I remember feeling very impressed when I attended the previous International Aids Conference that took place in Mexico. ‘How well organized’ I thought, ‘so many learning opportunities’…

3 new things I learnt at this year’s conference:

Sero-Discordant Couples Exist

As the Chair of one of the panels on sero-discordant couples said, discordant is not really the appropriate word to refer to relationships in which one person is HIV+ and the other is HIV- because many of these relationships (like other types of relationships) are harmonious. For some reason I had never conceptualized relationships in which people would consciously choose to be with a person who happens to be HIV+, maybe a sign of my own prejudice… People in sero-discordant (I don’t know what other term to use) relationships can protect themselves by using barrier methods during sex – the same way any other couple should protect themselves. It was interesting to find out that some people choose to have unprotected sex even thought they know that their partner is HIV+. Reasons given varied including intimacy, love, etc. I was struck by how some people are HIV- despite long-term exposure to the virus. The only reason I was given is that some people appear to have a gene that makes them immune to the virus.

Sex Workers

I went to a panel on sex work because I have been trying to understand why anyone will choose to engage in sex work. I can understand participating in ‘survival’ sex, I can understand that some people get addicted to drugs and engage in sex work in order to feed their habit but I have struggled to understand why anyone would willingly choose to be a sex worker so after sitting through a panel and finding my question unanswered I was the first one to jump up when the floor was opened for questions:

Q: “So why will anyone choose to be a sex worker”

I got a range of responses:

A: “No one asks anyone else why they choose the jobs they do”

A: “You need no capital to start sex work”

A: “As a trans woman its a way of affirming my gender identity. Men find me attractive and are willing to pay to have sex with me”

A: “I like sex”

A: “I got raped as a child”

A: “It’s a way of running my own business – I work when I want to. I am my own boss”

CAPRISA 004

This was the most exciting news of the conference! The first microbicide trial to show a statistically relevant result and had resulted in 54% protection against HIV for those who had taken the vaginal suppository as instructed > 80% of the time. CAPRISA 005 is a Tenofovir (TFV) gel that is ART (Anti-retroviral therapy) based. The TFV gel is inserted 12 hours before sex and 12 hours after sex. CAPRISA 004 now becomes the benchmark for protection/prevention where future trials are concerned.

All in all it was an interesting, useful and educational conference. Roll on AIDS 2012!

Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah

Programme Officer

Fundraising & Communications