MOBILIZING
WOMEN AND GIRLS TO FIGHT HIV/AIDS The
membership handbook contains important information
on how to become a SWAK member. Some of
the information contained in the printed
version of this handbook is:
BECOMING
A MEMBER
WHO
ENLISTS?
Women
and girls of all backgrounds are eligible.
Men join as associate members. Self-support
groups can enlist as well as organizations.
However, only women and girls form co-ordinating
committees.
BENEFITS
YOU GET AS A MEMBER:
HIV/AIDS knowledge, education and training
Coping tips when infected
Linkages with service delivery organizations
Skills in home-based care for the infected
Training in income-generating activities
Forum to exchange experiences, information
and knowledge
Skills in advocacy and lobbying
Opportunity to fund-raise and manage small
grants
Skills in proposal-writing
Skills in data collection
Opportunities to participate at local and
international conferences
OTHER
ACTIVITIES MEMBERS ARE INVOLVED IN:
Deliver talks and make presentations on women,
girls and HIV/AIDS in schools, at chiefs'
barazas, for women's and youth groups, for
law and policy makers, public administrators,
employers and employers' organizations, trade
unions and media personnel.
Organize folk drama, song, dance and puppetry
shows for awareness among community and SWAK
members
Develop and disseminate media messages
Form linkages for the infected and affected
Train community members in mobilization skills
and the utilization of indigenous systems
for mobilization
Introduce community level model activities
for demonstration
Visit affected households
Link orphans with the extended family kinship
Facilitate formation of self
support groups for People Living with HIV/AIDS
HOW
TO FORM A CO-ORDINATNG COMITTEE:
1. Select
ten women who have the capacity to mobilize other
women nd community members.
2. Appoint a chairperson, a secretary/co-ordinator
and a treasurer
3. Begin to meet on weekly basis at a venue of
your choice
4. Record minutes of your weekly meetings
5. Recruit members
6. Network with existing organizations - health
institutions, NGO's, government departments,
religious organizations, private organizations
and women groups.
7. Formulate an action plan
8. Report your activities to the nearest functional
SWAK branch.
9. Get clearance from the National Secretariat
in order to open a bank account for your sub-branch
HIV/AIDS knowledge, education and training
SWAK
Newsletter Issue No.9
