The Drum Beat 56 - HIV/AIDS, Africa, Communication

The 13th International AIDS Conference in Durban finished this weekend. Though the conference focus on the response to the epidemic was on access to drugs and the development of vaccines, the analysis of the core problem was very different. Questions of culture, values, relationships, open dialogue on sensitive issues, discrimination, rights, equity of access, etc, permeated many contributions. Addressing these dynamics is vital to any response - whether we have drugs or do not have drugs. They are core factors for an effective response. They require effective communication strategies. [WF]

Impact?

1. Uganda is the cause for much optimism related to HIV. At the Durban conference, Dr. Sam Mbulaiteye, from the Uganda Virus Research Institute in Entebbe, presented his team's findings on the decline in new HIV infections in Uganda - the first country in Africa to show a decline. His assessment of the reason for this decline was communication, as reported by Reuters: [government and other organizations] "have worked together for years to get the word out about HIV/AIDS. Our newspapers have regular columns with sex discussions for young people, sex discussions for professional soldiers, as well as (AIDS-oriented) letters columns, Radio stations carry the safe-sex message to rural villagers who may not be able to read. There are also drama activities which go around the rural countryside, and these are very important in raising awareness. The result? What we have seen is a delay in onset of sex in both boys and girls, but particularly in boys. For girls, we have seen fewer unintended pregnancies, we have seen increased condom use, and people are open about sexual discussion and such things."
Full Reuters report: Website.

PROGRAMMES

1. Democracy Radio - Cape Town, South Africa - a weekly 15 min. programme distributed to community radio stations around the country. Their aim is to educate people about national policy, whether it be treatment for HIV+ patients, clean water, or claims for land restitution. They describe how people can access relevant services, make their voices heard, or change things in their community. Partner stations will soon produce content of their own to supplement these programmes - bringing the focus to their specific community by means of a discussion, or phone-in or documentary. Website. Contact Brett Davidson brett@idasact.org.za

2. PC Nairobi Radio Programmes - Kenya - 1-month pilot public information programme involving production of 5 live-radio programmes, aired once a week for 4 hrs. Topics were: Female Genital Cutting, Traditional Initiation Rites into Adulthood, Family Planning, STIs, and HIV/AIDS. Format is on-air discussion, with call-in questions and opinions. Aim is to launch a full scale public information campaign using all the 3 media at the Nation Group. Contact Monica Wanjiru mwanjiru@pcnairobi.org OR Ayo Ajayi a.ajayi@popcouncil.or.ke

3. Fem'Mediafrique - West Africa - a 5-day seminar on Gender & HIV/AIDS for 10 women journalists and 10 policy makers/influence leaders from Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Mali, Mauritania and Senegal. Based on an assessment study, the project aims to expand and sustain quality, data-based reporting; strengthen relationships between women journalists and policy makers; and, engage civil society and leaders in debates on women's issues. Contact Victoria Ebin vebin@mindspring.com

4. Men As Partners in HIV Prevention (MAP) - South Africa - Planned Parenthood Association (PPASA) and AVSC project providing outreach education to men around gender issues, violence prevention, and various reproductive health concerns, particularly HIV infection. Focus Group discussions were conducted in Gauteng, Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and Free State province. Based on this research, an experiential learning training manual for PPASA educators to conduct educational workshops with groups of men and women in South African communities was developed. A section of the manual is devoted to HIV prevention education. Interactive methodologies help participants examine their beliefs on various issues and consider alternative perspectives. Contact Pumzile Kedama map@ppasa.org.za

5. Exploration of Basic Learning Competencies & Girls' Sexual Maturation & Practices - Sub-Saharan Africa - supported by The Rockefeller Foundation (RF) - "an exploration of the acquisition of basic learning competencies, and the related issue of girls' sexual maturation. The exploration, expected to be completed by August 2000, aims at investigating whether the issues of acquisition of basic learning competencies and sexual maturation are viewed as sufficiently important and thus, a viable base for the development of a long-term investment enabling RF to collaborate with selected countries in improving educational participation. African institutions that are interested and are working on the development of education will be asked to act as hosts in the exploration. The exploration phase includes Kenya, Uganda and Zimbabwe." Website. Contact jennyr@sn.apc.org

6. Bush Radio HIV/HOP Project - South Africa - launched with the Youth Against Aids (YAA) 2000 Concert. Before the concert, a group of 40 high school students from various schools were trained at the Bush Radio Training Centre. They hosted a month of on air talk shows. After the concert, a programme developer and 4 young people from the Hip Hop community spent 3 months at Bush Radio designing programmes to carry the HIV/AIDS message to youth in the townships. A CD will accompany the final report. Website. Contact Zane Ibrahim Zane@bushradio.co.za

7. Southern Africa Communications for Development (SACOD) - Southern Africa - a coalition of filmmakers and organisations in related services whose primary focus is the production and distribution of socially responsible films and videos, including on HIV/AIDS related issues. SACOD develops and maintains alternative distribution strategies in the region for the promotion of productions and programmes through in-depth research into regional advocacy campaigns. SACOD also trains and builds capacity in Communications for Development in the Southern African region through The Annual SACOD Forum. Website. Contact Patricia Lumba sacodnet@icon.co.za

8. The International Partnership against AIDS - Africa - a coalition of actors working together to significantly scale up efforts in Africa to curtail the spread of HIV, reduce its impact and halt the further reversal of human, social and economic development. Website. A weekly e-mail information service provides short summaries of selected events and programmes on, or related to, the Partnership. Contact Godfrey Sikipa sikipag@unaids.org

FORUM

9. Children Affected by AIDS (CABA) Electronic Discussion Forum - to facilitate discussion and information exchange regarding efforts to mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS on children, families and the communities in which they live. Contact Dierdre Gilmore dierdre@tvtassoc.com

STRATEGY

11. "Finding a Way Forward: Principles and Strategies to Reduce the Impact of AIDS on Children & Families" - advocates strengthening family and community capacities to protect and care for their children as the fundamental strategic response to mitigating the impacts of AIDS on orphans and other children affected by HIV/AIDS. It explains the importance of systematically scaling up community communication and mobilization efforts and extending microfinance services in communities seriously affected by HIV/AIDS. To be published in 2001 in a book on orphans of AIDS. Website.

TRAINING

12. AVSC International has launched a distance-learning initiative to build capacity to provide reproductive health care training in developing countries with CD-ROM and Web-based training courses on infection prevention. A reference booklet supplements the course, which covers such topics as risk factors of infection and accepted clinical procedures to minimize the risk and the spread of infection. Website. Contact Hilary Maddux madx@aol.com

MATERIALS

13. The International HIV/AIDS Alliance is developing a toolkit of participatory activities which aims to support NGOs in developing countries to develop their documentation skills. English version will be field tested and disseminated by the end of 2000. French version will be field tested and disseminated in 2001. Contact Nicky Davies ndavies@aidsalliance.org

14. AZIMUTHS Film Archive on Development Issues - the UNDP TV Unit regularly produces TV Reports titled Azimuths, focusing on Development issues, including HIV/AIDS, drought, environment, gender issues, and the eradication of poverty. Over 1,000 hrs of material. Catalogue. Contact Robert Winter robert.winter@undp.org

EVENTS
Visit the C.I. Events Calendar for detailed descriptions.

AUG. - (6) 11th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health, Chicago, USA: (31) Medecine and Media Conference, Sweden.

SEPT. - (3) 13th International Congress on Child Abuse & Neglect, South Africa; (26) The New Millennium: The Uno, Peace And International Security, Cuba; (29) Consumer Reports on Medicines, Sweden.

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