SWAK- Society for Women and AIDS in Kenya




 
     

 
 
Objective 2
     

     

To promote and protect the rights of 8,000 people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS in all SWAK operational areas by 2010

Strategies

1. Developing a network of paralegals in all SWAK operational areas

Paralegals trained in legal rights of people infected and affected with HIV/AIDS are important resource persons at the community level. Paralegals monitor human rights violations, offer advice to the people whose rights have been violated and assist such people to access justice. SWAK will scale up the training of paralegals in all its operational areas and strengthen linkages with the paralegals already trained.


2. Provision of human rights education to the target community

SWAK will provide HIV/AIDS related human rights education in all its operational areas. The purpose is to reduce incidences of violation of the rights of people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS at community level. In the initial stages, SWAK will identify an organisation strong in human rights education to partner with in implementing this activity. SWAK has strong networks at community level that will be used to mobilise the community while the partner organisation will facilitate the events. The partner organisation will also build the capacity of SWAK in this area.

Key methodologies for delivering this initiative include:

• Develop human rights education curriculum and materials. Materials will include booklets, posters, stickers and brochures.

• Train the SWAK volunteers on HIV/AIDS related human rights

• Organise and facilitate community meetings for opinion leaders, CBOs, NGOs and community members

• Develop and air radio expert discussion programmes


3. Fight stigma facing PLWHAs through ambassadors of hope

Stigma is still a major problem in Kenya as indicated by the KDHS 2003 findings. Stigmatisation of people infected and affected with HIV/AIDS is obstacle to effective prevention of HIV/AIDS. It blocks people from seeking HIV services especially VCT and PMTCT as well as reducing the number of people disclosing their HIV sero status. SWAK will implement an anti-stigmatisation campaign through encouraging PLWHA to go public about their sero status to demystify HIV/AIDS. PLWHA will be involved in SWAK’s programmes especially the behaviour change programme as a means of reducing stigma towards the infected and affected people.

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PRIORITY AREAS
Prevention of new infections: SWAK aims to reduce new infections among women and girls by addressing the underlying gender factors putting women and girls at risk

Improvement of the quality of life of people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS:
There are two important strategies for improving the quality of life of people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS: provision of treatment and care services and protection of their human rights.

Mitigation of the social impact of HIV/AIDS:
HIV/AIDS has profound negative impact on all aspects of the community. The capacity of communities to cope with the rapid increase of orphans and child-headed families is overstretched.

SWAK capacity development:
SWAK’s capacity gaps have been identified in the previous sections. SWAK has identified the specific capacity building initiatives that will be undertaken to address the challenges identified.
 

SWAK highly appreciates contributions and donations from all donors and partners.

You can donate to SWAK for mobilising women and girls to fight HIV/AIDS in Kenya.