DanChurchAid

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HIV/AIDS

Empowerment

18/09/2006: The right to decide freely when, how and with whom to have sex and when to have children, is a key human right. This right is also a critical pre-condition for any effective HIV prevention effort. Sexual and reproductive rights are therefore a central aspect of DanChurchAid's work.

© RDRS, courtesy www.rdrsbangla.net

Focus on prevention

DanChurchAid recognises the critical link between prevention and treatment and strongly supports that the two must go hand in hand in any comprehensive national response to HIV and AIDS. DanChurchAid however will work with all aspects of the HIV and AIDS pandemic, but with the main emphasis and focus on multi-sectoral broad spectered prevention efforts.

Sexual and reproductive rights

DanChurchAid sees sexual and reproductive health rights as central to preventive efforts. The right to decide freely when, how and with whom to have sex and when to have children is a key human right and a critical precondition for any effective HIV prevention effort.

Efforts to increase sexual and reproductive health rights for better community competence will include:

  • Youth friendly behaviour change communication (BCC) strategies
  • Life skills information
  • Increased access to all relevant preventive measures
  • Assertiveness training for young women
  • Addressing and challenging cultural norms and practices and not least look at legal protection both at local and national level

Greater involvement of peopel living with HIV/AIDS

DanChurchAid sees the greater involvement of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) as an important rights issue and as a means towards effective prevention.

DanChurchAid and its partner organisations, majority of those being faith based organisations, have an important and critical role to play in fighting stigma and discrimination of PLWHA.

  • DanChurchAid will seek to identify and actively support the formation of organisations and support groups for PLWHA.

DanChurchAid will work towards and advocate for greater active and meaningful involvement of PLWHA and affected communities in all aspects of the HIV and AIDS related response (implementation, advocacy, policy formulation, decision making etc).

PLWHA experience the social, physical and emotional consequences of being HIV positive and often have specific knowledge of the AIDS related stigmatization in the local communities. This is knowledge that can help address the stigma and break down the barriers for interventions.

Involving both men and women in challenging unequal gender relationships

DanChurchAid recognises the clear link between gender inequality and the spread of HIV and AIDS, and will actively work to promote greater gender equality. Unequal and stereotype gender norms often reinforce unequal gender relationships that put men and women, boys and girls at risk of HIV infection.

DanChurchAid will support activities that empower women and in particular young girls to be more assertive in determining their own gender roles. Involving men and boys as important duty bearers to change these unequal relationships and promote more protective environments for young girls and women is central.