women infected and affected by hiv

TAI's core purpose has always been to improve the wellbeing (and hence, reduce the vulnerability) of women, especially rural women, in the face of the HIV pandemic.

To do this, TAI will continue to work with men in the core issues that create vulnerability in women:

• Tradition and culture (which affect perceptions of masculinity): There are many cultural attitudes and practices that create vulnerability to HIV infection or re-infection in women, including:
  • patriarchal beliefs that reduce the amount of power that women have in sexual and familial relationships, such as the decision to use condoms or to say no to sex.
  • belief that men have the right to physically abuse ("discipline") their female partners. Violence and abuse seems to correlate to HIV prevalence. Men are more likely to be HIV positive if they also violent towards their sexual partners.
  • beliefs that condoms are not culturally acceptable (especially when masculinity is linked to the number of children a man has) and that multiple concurrent sexual partners are an indicator of masculinity.
• Widespread rape and sexual assault: Sadly, one of South Africa's most notable features is its high rape rate - one of the highest in the world. This creates tremendous vulnerability in South African women.
• Increased burden of work as a result of the HIV pandemic. This includes caring for ill family members and non-biological children who have joined the household as a result of their parents / care-givers becoming ill or dying.
• Myths and misconceptions such as that raping a virgin will cure HIV, or that condoms are actually infected with the virus in an attempt to reduce the black population, etc. There are so many...

As a result of our early learnings, TAI will affect these changes by working with men.

COMPONENT(S)

• Overall Programme: Women are essentially indirect beneficiaries of the programme. This is done purposefully to avoid creating additional "participation burdens" for women in unpaid work. However, the overall impact of the programme should be that:
  • Women have a reduced burden of care (especially around childcare and caring for ill household members)
  • Women have reduced vulnerability to HIV infection/re-infection and/or increased wellbeing if HIV positive
  • Women have improved equality within sexual and familial relationships
  • Women have increased freedom from gender-based violence and assault
  • Women have increased access to services
  • Women have broader community support in general and especially in times of crisis
• To provide an integrated and high quality HCBC network and VCT service
  • Women have access to training and employment as healthcare workers.

masculinity

The need to work with men is obvious. Men are in crisis and their vulnerability has affected the wellbeing of the entire country. There is a need to engage men, especially young men, in a programme that provides:

• Information and skills such as HIV and AIDS knowledge, understanding puberty, negotiation skills, communication skills, health seeking behaviours, condom usage, caring for children, caring for the ill, etc
• Space to reflect on beliefs and actions and the true consequences of those actions including gender inequality and the division of labour within the household, gender-based violence and having unprotected sex
• A nurturing, affirming and supportive environment that helps young men to develop self-esteem, a sense of belonging and a vision or purpose for their lives. This could include supporting young men in implementing activities in their communities so that they are able to actively participate in promoting community wellbeing, or helping young men to access counselling services, etc.

By engaging young men in such a programme, we will be reducing their vulnerability to and likelihood of: HIV infection; infecting their sexual partners (predominantly female); and committing violent crimes.

COMPONENT(S)

• To develop young male soccer players to act as responsible, committed and caring role-models and to protect themselves from contracting HIV and AIDS
  • Young men gain relevant skills and information
  • Young men actively participate in community outreach activities
  • Young men discuss and reflect on issues
  • Young men receiving mentoring support and counselling
  • Young men have improved ability to care for and engage with children
• To improve child wellbeing
  • Young men experience rewarding relationships with children and are able to positively influence their lives
• To establish and support a community structure to locally manage and co-ordinate the process - Sibambiqhaza
  • Young men have improved access to services
  • Young men have increased sense of belonging
  • Young men have broader community support in general and especially in times of crisis
• To provide an integrated and high quality HCBC network and VCT service
  • Young men are encouraged to become healthcare workers
  • Young men have improved access to services

the need for a child focus

The evidence clearly indicates that the current crisis facing our children has severe implications for the future of this country. If our goal as an organisation is long term change and community well-being then we need to start addressing the vulnerability - and the factors that create that vulnerability - of the most at risk group in South Africa.

In TAI's context, not all components should include children as direct beneficiaries, but should rather include aspects that assist community groups in addressing the issues that make children so terribly vulnerable.

COMPONENT(S)

• To improve child wellbeing
  • Children experience rewarding relationships with young men who are able to positively influence their lives
  • Children have increased knowledge about crucial life skills including age appropriate HIV prevention
  • Children have improved access to services
  • Children have increased sense of belonging
  • Children have broader community support in general and especially in times of crisis
• To establish and support a community structure to locally manage and co-ordinate the process - Sibambiqhaza
  • Children have improved access to services
  • Children have increased sense of belonging
  • Children have broader community support in general and especially in times of crisis
• To provide an integrated and high quality HCBC network and VCT service
  • Children have improved access to services