SWAK- Society for Women and AIDS in Kenya




 

  
   

SWAK Strategic approach
   

SWAK has identified specific approaches it will adopt to effective address the issues identified above and in implementing its programmes. The approaches identified are based on lessons learnt over the years and best practice in implementing HIV/AIDS programmes. These approaches will be applied across all programmes. Some of the approaches have been alluded to in the section above and they have been isolated in this section for clarity.

1. Development and participation in partnerships

SWAK recognises that it cannot succeed in achieving its mission by working in isolation. SWAK will therefore build partnerships with other organisations combating HIV/AIDS at the community and national levels to enhance our capacity, share lessons and experiences and enhance the impact of activities. SWAK will develop three types of partnerships:

• Partnerships with local CBOs especially women groups. SWAK will partner with local CBOs in the implementation of its programmes. Local CBOs have stronger linkages to communities, conduct activities in a cost effective manner and will enable SWAK to reach households affected by HIV/AIDS. Local partnership is also critical for ensuring ownership of SWAK’s programme activities by the community.

• Partnerships with national organisations: SWAK will work in partnership with other national organisations in the civil society, private and public sectors in policy formulation and development of national issues based guidelines for combating HIV/AIDS. Some of the policies issues on which SWAK will participate include the National HIV/AIDS Social Economic Impact Mitigation Policy, National Partnership Guidelines and National HIV/AIDS Communications Strategy. SWAK will continue identifying critical policy issues to be engaged in from time to time.

2. Mainstreaming of gender and youth issues

SWAK recognise that women and girls are affected by what goes on in the wider community. The organisation will therefore proactively mainstream gender in all our activities. This will involve targeting men, women and the youth in order to effectively address gender factors that make women and girls more vulnerable to HIV/AIDS. It will develop appropriate strategies for reaching out to the youth.

3. Rights based approach:

SWAK will mainstream a rights based approach in all its activities. SWAK believes that everyone has a right to know about ways of preventing HIV infection, the available prevention, treatment and care services, and the rights to be respected and treated with dignity irrespective of being HIV positive. The rights based approach will enable SWAK to put the community at the centre of its activities and to involve PLWHA in its programmes effectively.


4. Involvement of people living with HIV/AIDS

SWAK recognises that PLWHA play a critical role in the prevention of the spread of HIV. SWAK will build on its current strategies for involving PLWHA in the campaign for prevention of new infections. Specific mechanisms will be developed based on the GIPA principles to promote the involvement of PLWHA in these campaigns in a more structured manner.

[ back ]


 
 
 
 
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.