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GIPA/MIPA SOUTH AFRICA WORKPLACE MODEL. OUTLINE. Background The GIPA principle: definition Why the GIPA principle? General lessons learned How far have we gone? Achievements and challenges Recommendation. BACKGROUND.
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OUTLINE • Background • The GIPA principle: definition • Why the GIPA principle? • General lessons learned • How far have we gone? • Achievements and challenges • Recommendation
BACKGROUND • The principle of PLHIV participating at all levels in response to the AIDS pandemic is now fairly acceptable • Recognition of the GIPA principle is the result of a long and tireless struggle by PLHIV activists for their self empowerment • The combined determination of PLHIV and support from visionary leaders has made it possible to achieve the current results • There is still a long way to go in translating the principle into practice
DEFINING GIPA/MIPA • GIPA principle is meant to ensure meaningful, democratic involvement and participation of PLHIV in planning, programmes and decision making at all levels of intervention through self empowerment and capacity building • Giving the epidemic a human face and voice
WHY THE GIPA PRINCIPLE? • Direct experience and commitment have no substitute: no one can respect the interest of PLHIV better than PLHIV themselves (advocacy role) • Committed PLHIV are the champions of a rights-based approach to AIDS. They contribute to increasing political commitment and keeping a sense of urgency to the response
WHY THE GIPA PRINCIPLE? Cont’d • PLHIV play a critical role in fighting stigma and discrimination, the two biggest obstacles to effective prevention & treatment • PLHIV strengthen prevention through social mobilization • Participate in care & support, HBC and provide treatment literacy including palliative care • Overall PLHIV do much more than just being faces and voices: they are change agents, genuine contributors to the pandemic
GENERAL LESSONS LEARNED OVER THE PAST 20 YEARS • Involvement of PLHIV critical • Integrating GIPA is a challenge • Need to: • Empower individuals; • Create context of support. • Seek meaningful involvement • Avoid creating token “faces & voices”
HOW FAR HAVE WE GONE IN SOUTH AFRICA • Since the GIPA inception, UNDP promotes and advocates for the GIPA principle as a key intervention strategy for response by: • Supporting capacity development for PLHIV organizations • Facilitating the development of progressive HIV and AIDS policies • Leading efforts to fight stigma and discrimination • Brokering partnerships between HIV positive workers and employers
HOW FAR HAVE WE GONE IN SOUTH AFRICA Cont’d • Workplace model developed 1998 • Informed by: strategic document of SA existing AIDS plan 2001-2005; call for partnership against HIV and AIDS. • Few South Africans knew or spoke of their status • Opportunity to apply GIPA in new areas and across sectors: government, civil society, private sector. • Sharing lessons from GIPA pilot initiatives
ACHIEVEMENTS • Significant increase in reduction of stigma and discrimination associated with HIV and AIDS • Dignity of PLHIV uplifted • PLHIV involved in policy and decision making processes • PLHIV play a big role as support groups and in care • Giving HIV and AIDS a human face and voice
ACHIEVEMENTS Cont’d • Reduction of myths, misconception and misinformation on HIV and AIDS • Motivated decision making processes for a big number of people to go for HIV testing • Disclosure of HIV status and breaking the silence • Expressing the needs of PLHIV:- • Change of attitude of health service providers • Attracting more public and private institutions to implement the GIPA/pr
ACHIEVEMENTS Cont’d • Attract greater donor response to prevention, care treatment and support including nutrition • Positive influence to decision making • Inspiration, finding a reason to live quality life • Decide to live positively without spreading the virus to others • Learn leadership and commitment • Improving environment (political, social, Technological procedures)
CHALLENGES • Both personal and external society stigma still exist • Discrimination within the society and some medical personnel still exist • Lack of treatment knowledge amongst medical personnel on care & treatment • The right of enjoying scientific advancement and its benefits is yet to be known to many PLHIV • The elite and professional PLHIV do not break the silence
CHALLENGES Cont’d • Networking of PLHIV still poor, even if it exist there is low capacity in managing and coordinating PLHIV organizations • Most organisations are formed by those in low socio-economic status • Persistence of tokenism • Lack of fair remuneration to PLHIV contributing to the fight • Limited capacity , skills, VCT services
IMPACT OF THE WORKPLACE MODEL • Trained 25 GFWS. Partnered 20 organisations in various sectors • Contributed to the global debate • Documented as a UNAIDS best practice • Assisted in improving visibility of PLHIV in SA • Supports PLHIV networks; • Assists national policy dialogue and programme formulation
WORKPLACE IMPACT • Bring unique skills and experience • Add credibility to programmes • Ensure relevance • Provide in-house counselling • Counter stigma and discrimination • Create positive environment; • Lead and advocate • Advocate for positive living
LESSONS LEARNED • SA experience reflects global challenges • Empowerment and environment are the most critical • We learned: • Organisations need preparation and planning; • Select fieldworkers on skill not status; • Professional training essential to empowerment and leadership.
RECOMMENDATION • Drive towards stronger policy and legislation that would compel the government and private sector • Impact studies focusing on the performance of PLHIV at all key levels • PLHIV do more than just giving the epidemic a human face and voice because they are resourceful • Incorporate gender-acknowledge that women and men are not the same
RECOMMENDATION Cont’d • Acknowledge that GIPA on its own will not eradicate stigma and discrimination • Acknowledge that it is not all PLHIV who can be open about their status • A need for GIPA to advocate for all right of PLHIV • Like any other rights, the right for the meaningful participation of PLHIV will be won through a struggle. The good news is that this can be done!!!!!!
Acknowledgement • All GIPA/MIPA for their contribution and the support.