The Communication Initiative
Development action with informed and engaged societies
The Communication Initiative
After nearly 28 years, The Communication Initiative (The CI) Global is entering a new chapter. Following a period of transition, the global website has been transferred to the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa, where it will be administered by the Social and Behaviour Change Communication Division. Wits' commitment to social change and justice makes it a trusted steward for The CI's legacy and future.
 
Co-founder Victoria Martin is pleased to see this work continue under Wits' leadership. Victoria knows that co-founder Warren Feek (1953–2024) would have felt deep pride in The CI Global's Africa-led direction.
 
We honour the team and partners who sustained The CI for decades. Meanwhile, La Iniciativa de Comunicación (CILA) continues independently at cila.comminitcila.com and is linked with The CI Global site.
Time to read
less than
1 minute
Print
a- a+
Published 23 years ago
Last updated 1 year ago
Read so far

Women in Action Against AIDS (Mujeres Unidas en Accion Contra el Sida) - Mexico and the USA

1 comment
Mujeres Unidas en Accion Contra el Sida (MUACES) was founded in the early 1990s by New Mexico, USA housewives seeking to understand HIV/AIDS in the context of poverty and limited resources. Fifteen housewives and 20 teenage peer educators speak to women about the dangers of HIV/AIDS, and the risks associated with unfaithful spouses. The population addressed by the programme is residents in cities in Texas and Mexico, especially women.
Communication Strategies
Workshops are organised by MUACES members, who talk to their peers about HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention of STDs. For example, they demonstrate how to put on a condom. Community members are trained to facilitate workshops on other issues, as well (like teen depression and stress). Abstinence is encouraged during workshops for teens. Parental permission is always sought before information is given to younger teenagers.
Development Issues
Women, Youth, HIV/AIDS.
Key Points
Members claim that it took some time to break down taboos, as some residents suspected that MUACES members were HIV positive because they were giving talks about the disease.

MUACES is now part of Family and Youth Inc.
Sources

"Housewife Raises AIDS Awareness"; CDC Daily summary, from the Associated Press (1/6/03) by Gabriela Guzman. Forwarded to the Gender-AIDS list server on January 13, 2003. Click here to read the article on the CDC News Updates site. Also: HIV/AIDS Barometer, January 2003, on the Mail & Guardian site.

Comments

User Image
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 11/30/1999 - 00:00 Permalink

Because I am a part of that group and I find it interesting