THE ROLE OF WORKPLACE POLICIES IN REDUCING THE ROLE OF WORKPLACE POLICIES IN REDUCING HIV & AIDS STIGMA AND DISCRIMINATION: HIV & AIDS STIGMA AND DISCRIMINATION:

THE CASE OF C-MAD ORGANIZATIONTHE CASE OF C-MAD ORGANIZATION

Prepared By:Prepared By:

Caroline Awuor OtienoCaroline Awuor Otieno

Executive Secretary/Peer EducatorExecutive Secretary/Peer Educator

Community Mobilization Against Desertification (C-MAD)Community Mobilization Against Desertification (C-MAD)

Mobilizing Communities For Sustainable Development

ABOUT C-MAD ORGANIZATIONABOUT C-MAD ORGANIZATION

Community Mobilization Against Desertification (C-MAD) is a non Governmental organization, which was initiated to improve resource management and reduce poverty in southwest Kenya (Migori, Suba, Rachuonyo, Homa Bay and Rongo Districts).

Our target beneficiaries Include:

- Resource constrained households

- Small Scale Farmer Holders (own 3 acres of land and less)

C-MAD HIV AND AIDS MAINSTREAMING PROJECTC-MAD HIV AND AIDS MAINSTREAMING PROJECT

• Initiated in January 2006 as part of the Joint Oxfam HIV and AIDS strategy to address challenges such as stigma and discrimination brought about by the HIV and AIDS

pandemic. The project is funded by Oxfam International.

• Objectives.– Develop and operationalize the C-MAD workplace policy.– Staff capacity building on HIV and AIDS and STIS prevention at

the workplace.– Mainstreaming HIV and AIDS into C-MAD’S Livelihoods and

Food Security Programmes.

AchievementsAchievements

• 10 peer educators within the C-MAD organization. • C-MAD HIV and AIDS workplace policy document in place. • C-MAD HIV and AIDS workplace committee operational and fully

supported by the Board and Management, • 7 peer educators in target communities served by C-MAD • The policy has played a major role in breaking stigma since the staff

are assured of not being victimized on the basis of being HIV positive.

• Both staff and community members now routinely talk about HIV and AIDS without fear and are willing to turn up at VCT centers to be tested and live positively with their status after getting positive and encouraging messages from the peer educators

CHALLENGESCHALLENGES

• It is hard to involve all the staff to fully participate in trainings without interfering with the other programmes.

• Influx of new staff causing un even understanding on how to address HIV and AIDS.

• Inadequate funds to “pack the message” in a way which is appealing to the target groups e.g. use of theatre groups and music to address young people.

NAKATO youth group using drama to address young people during an HIV and AIDS open day.

LESSONS LEARNTLESSONS LEARNT

• Workplace policy development and implementation is a tedious process and requires a technical team employed to be fully responsible.

• Using the knowledge of peer educators ensures programme good quality.

• Integrating other topic areas such as reproductive health into the scope of peer education and motivating peer educators improves programme quality.

LESSONS LEART Cont….LESSONS LEART Cont….

• No single organization can have much impact by itself.

• Collaboration with government (MOH) staff adds value but has its own challenges.

• Mainstreaming is not an event that can be planned, concluded, completed and left behind.

• Mainstreaming HIV and AIDS in our project is a financially demanding process.

C-MAD HIV and AIDS open day at Ndhiwa Health Center – Homa Bay District.

RECOMMENDATIONSRECOMMENDATIONS

• The need to integrate other topics areas such as reproductive health into the scope of peer education.

• The need to motivate peer educators

• To extend the reach of peer education by conducting more TOTs and peer education training to other staff members/C-MAD target beneficiaries

Peer Educators Training of Trainers Workshop for Primary and secondary school teacher.

Integrating other topics into the scope of peer education provides the ability to multi task.