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HIV/AIDS toolkit:Mainstreaming HIV/AIDS in practice- A toolkit with a collection of resources, checklists and examples on CD Rom
The HIV/AIDS epidemic is today considered one of the most pressing development and security problems in the world. For the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), it is an institutional priority to make a significant contribution to limit the spread and mitigate the impact of the epidemic.
A comprehensive response to HIV and AIDS entails a combination of specific AIDS-focused work and mainstreaming. By mainstreaming we mean a process that enables development actors to address the causes and effects of HIV/AIDS in an effective and sustained manner, both through their usual work and within their workplace (UNAIDS). It means wearing AIDS glasses while working in all sectors and at all levels.
There is no standard approach to mainstreaming HIV/AIDS. Responses need to be integrated into planned and ongoing development processes by linking them to the core business. They need to be adapted to the local epidemic and cultural context. Mainstreaming HIV/AIDS is an approach that is relevant in both development and humanitarian work and at all stages of the epidemic. It should be initiated as early as possible. As the HIV/AIDS epidemic is closely linked with gender issues, both AIDS focused and mainstreaming interventions should be gender sensitive. Involving people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS and coordinating the response are other essential principles of a comprehensive response.
In order to successfully mainstream HIV/AIDS, a sector or an organisation needs to be ready to do so by allocating the necessary resources in terms of time, human, material and financial resources. Leadership commitment, support by the teams and capacity strengthening of the HIV/AIDS focal persons and their collaborators are crucial factors for success and they enhance commitment. Mainstreaming HIV/AIDS should happen in the internal sphere (related to the organisation/ workplace) and in the external sphere (related to the cooperation work). Three key questions can guide mainstreaming HIV/AIDS in both spheres:
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How does HIV/AIDS affect your organisation and your work?
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How to do no harm?
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How can you contribute to fighting HIV/AIDS by limiting the spread and mitigating the impact of the epidemic?
A 5-step approach to mainstreaming HIV/AIDS is proposed. The first three steps are linked, as they are preparatory analytical steps, involving a context and organisational analysis. They provide the necessary inputs for proceeding to the response. Steps 4 and 5 explore possible contributions at the workplace and within the operational work. Crucially, monitoring and evaluation instruments should be developed from the beginning and experience with mainstreaming HIV/AIDS needs to be capitalised and shared.
Overall goal to which this guide should contribute
As stated in the SDC AIDS POLICY 20022007, HIV/AIDS will receive increased attention within the work of the SDC. SDC is committed to make a contribution to fighting this global epidemic in collaboration with its partner countries and international organisations. Mainstreaming HIV/AIDS by addressing HIV/AIDS related issues at the policy and coordination level, at the workplace as well as in SDC projects and programmes is thereby one of the major strategies pursued.
Objectives of the document
The objectives of the document are to:
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inform about approaches to mainstreaming HIV/AIDS
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provide practical information on how to do it for those who want to start mainstreaming HIV/AIDS and help those, who have already started to further strengthen their approach
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provide information which will be relevant and useful to all continents, all types of epidemics and all levels of cooperation within SDCs work worldwide (development cooperation, cooperation with transition countries, multilateral cooperation and humanitarian aid) and for its partners
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provide further resources for each of the essential steps
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share SDCs experience in mainstreaming HIV/AIDS with interested partnersand contribute to a shared understanding of the mainstreaming HIV/AIDS approach.
How to use this document
It is not a document to be read from beginning to end. For readers who would like to get an overview of the current HIV/AIDS epidemic, chapter I offer basic but essential information. All readers are recommended to read the chapters II to IV as these chapters contain all the basic concepts and guidance on mainstreaming HIV/AIDS. The graph key steps in mainstreaming HIV/AIDS in chapter IV helps to determine the current stage within a mainstreaming process. Then one can jump directly to the relevant part describing the step. For more detailed information and practical examples each step is linked to further selected resources on the CD Rom. Chapter VI contains information on monitoring and knowledge management- two crucial but often neglected elements. The glossary at the end of the document summarises key terminology. The content of the CD Rom and further links are listed in the last sheet of this document.
An evolving concept
This document is based on experiences and lessons learned from within SDC, from other development agencies and NGOs. Other bilateral and multilateral organisations, for which mainstreaming HIV/AIDS has become an important issue, include GTZ, DFID, Sida, FAO, UNDP, the World Bank and UNAIDS. SDC is aware that the concepts around mainstreaming HIV/AIDS are evolving rapidly.
For more details please contact the SDC Social Development Division at
sodev@deza.admin.ch
Source: www.deza.admin.ch
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