IRIN HIV/AIDS Weekly - 153
Africa
31 October 2003


NEWS:

SOUTHERN AFRICA: Special Report - New thinking needed on "AIDS orphans"
SOUTH AFRICA: Breast milk bank provides hope for HIV+ babies
SOUTH AFRICA: HIV-testing row in the military
AFRICA: "Global gag rule" has far-reaching consequences
AFRICA: Memory boxes to help say goodbye
ZAMBIA: WFP targets HIV/AIDS orphans in urban areas
UGANDA: Govt commits to buying generic antiretrovirals

LINKS

1. Nelson Mandela Campaign
2. HIV/AIDS Photo Gallery
3. Global Link
4. HIV Treatment Alerts
5. AIDSinfo Live Help

CONFERENCES/EVENTS/RESEARCH RESOURCES

1. Booklet on Men who have sex with Men
2. Sexual and Reproductive Health Needs of Men
3. HIV/AIDS Media Award for Excellence in Journalism
4. International Students Conference on AIDS

VACANCIES

1. Attorneys for the AIDS Law Project

NEWS

SOUTHERN AFRICA: Special Report - New thinking needed on "AIDS orphans"

A review of research literature - 81 published and unpublished papers,
books and reports - on the impact of HIV/AIDS on children in Africa has
found significant gaps and biases that shape responses to AIDS-affected
children.

Most research is based on an assumption that an epidemic of orphans is a
threat to society, concludes the review. "AIDS orphanhood" is
conceptualised as a disease in itself, a breeder of criminals, militia and
sex workers. This idea, echoed by the media, reinforces and perpetuates
the stigma and discrimination experienced by AIDS-affected children.

"So, stigma in life is replicated in research," said author Jo Stein,
principal scientific officer at the AIDS and Society Research Unit of the
Centre for Social Research at the University of Cape Town (UCT).

More details:
http://www.plusnews.org/AIDSreport.asp?ReportID=2685

SOUTH AFRICA: Breast milk bank provides hope for HIV+ babies

Orphaned babies, many of whom are HIV-positive, are getting more than
basic love and shelter at a home in South Africa's port city of Durban.
They are also receiving the gift of immune-boosting breast milk donated by
a network of mothers in the city.

The mothers voluntarily express the milk their own babies do not need, and
it is then collected and taken to iThembaLethu, meaning "I have a destiny"
in isiZulu, a transitional home for babies who have been orphaned or
abandoned through HIV/AIDS. Not all have the HI virus, but most are very
neglected and malnourished when they arrive.

Coordinator Shirley Royal told PlusNews on Tuesday that the home, which
cares for six babies at a time, combines a family environment, stimulation
and good nutrition to help them recover while plans are made for them to
be reunited with their family, or placed with another family.

More details:
http://www.plusnews.org/AIDSreport.asp?ReportID=2674

SOUTH AFRICA: HIV-testing row in the military

A recent row in South Africa over the deployment of HIV-positive soldiers
on peacekeeping missions has turned the spotlight on the issue of HIV
testing and the exclusion of HIV-positive individuals from the army.

South Africa's Minister of Defence, Mosiuoa Lekota, sparked controversy
earlier this month when news reports quoted him as saying: "Anybody with
the condition [HIV/AIDS] cannot be recruited [into the defence force]."

Activists said the policy was unconstitutional, and threatened to take the
defence department to court.

More details:
http://www.plusnews.org/AIDSreport.asp?ReportID=2680

AFRICA: "Global gag rule" has far-reaching consequences

The United States policy restricting foreign NGOs receiving US funding
from promoting abortions has had dire consequences for reproductive health
NGOs in Zambia, a report has found.

"Ironically, far from preventing abortions, the greatest impact of the
Global Gag Rule in Zambia is to contribute to more unwanted pregnancies,
as well as a higher incidence of HIV/AIDS," a report produced by the
Global Gag Rule Impact Project said.

The Mexico City policy, referred to by family planning advocates as the
"global gag rule", disqualifies foreign NGOs from receiving US family
planning funds if they provide legal abortion services in cases other than
a threat to the life of the woman, rape, or incest; give counselling and
referral for abortion; or lobby to make abortion legal or more available
in their own country.

More details:
http://www.plusnews.org/AIDSreport.asp?ReportID=2686

AFRICA: Memory boxes to help say goodbye

It can be a plump basket in an Ugandan village or a discarded box from a
shop in a South African township, painted in gaudy colours with food
colorant. It can be a biscuit tin decorated with shells or a square metal
box with a handle and a lock. Their purpose is to hold what HIV+ parents
wish to leave to their children: advice, key information, sweet memories
and the warm feeling of love.

Memory boxes or books go by the generic title of memory work. They are
designed to help the millions of families affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa
to cope with disease, death and grief, and to plan the children's future.

A number of organisations doing memory work in East and Southern Africa
and the United Kingdom met in Cape Town, South Africa, last week to share
their experiences and map how to extend it through the region. The
Regional Psychosocial Support Initiative (REPSSI) and the Memory Box
Project of the AIDS and Society Research Unit (ASRU) at the University of
Cape Town organised the meeting.

More details:
http://www.plusnews.org/AIDSreport.asp?ReportID=2668

ZAMBIA: WFP targets HIV/AIDS orphans in urban areas

The rise in the number of children orphaned by HIV/AIDS in Zambia has
forced the World Food Programme (WFP) to scale up its assistance
programmes in some of the country's urban centres.

WFP information officer Lena Savelli told PlusNews on Monday that although
food security in Zambia continued to improve, there was growing concern
over the plight of vulnerable children, most of whom were left to support
households after the death of a parent.

"We are not feeding nearly as many people as we did last year, but the
lack of coping mechanisms among the most vulnerable households, especially
AIDS orphans, remains extremely serious," Savelli said.

More details:
http://www.plusnews.org/AIDSreport.asp?ReportID=2667

UGANDA: Govt commits to buying generic antiretrovirals

The Ugandan health ministry made its first-ever clear commitment to buying
cheap generic copies of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs on Sunday.

"We have a law in place that allows us to import generic drugs in a
crisis, and we will certainly be doing this," Health Minister Jim Muhwezi
told PlusNews at the 11th conference of the Global Network for People
Living with HIV/AIDS, held in the capital, Kampala.

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria had already given
Uganda about US $52 million, specifically for "comprehensive treatment of
HIV/AIDS", and was expected to give it another $36 million, he said.

More details:
http://www.plusnews.org/AIDSreport.asp?ReportID=2666


LINKS

1. Former South African President Nelson Mandela has launched a global
fundraising campaign for HIV/AIDS in Africa. The campaign, dubbed "46664 -
give one minute of your life to stop AIDS", was launched in London on
Tuesday. 46664 was Mandela's prison number during his incarceration on
Robben Island. The campaign will use global telephone networks and the
Internet to raise funds and awareness of the impact of AIDS in Africa.
http://46664.tiscali.com/index.php

2. The UK-based Guardian Weekend Magazine on Saturday featured a series of
photographs by Gideon Mendel, chronicling the HIV/AIDS epidemic in South
Africa. Mendel released the photographs as part of a recent collaboration
with the Treatment Action Campaign, to raise money for increased access to
antiretroviral drugs by HIV-positive South Africans. The Guardian has also
created an interactive website that allows viewers to scroll through
360-degree images while listening to audio files of interviews with the
individuals featured in the photographs.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/flash/mendel.swf

3. The American Foundation for AIDS Research's (amfAR) Global Link is a
comprehensive resource providing the latest information on approved and
experimental HIV/AIDS treatments. It actively recruits for clinical
trials. There is also up-to-date information on treatment strategies and
toxicities, opportunistic infections and HIV-related disorders,
experimental AIDS vaccines, AIDS drug assistance programmes, and other
treatment resources.

The Global Link website has been made more searchable, allowing you easy
access to information on clinical trials, approved HIV drugs, side
effects, resources, and more. The 2003 edition of the amfAR Global Link is
now available online.
http://199.105.91.6/treatment/index.asp

4. The latest issue of "HIV Treatment ALERTS!" is now available online in
PDF or HTML formats. This treatment newsletter for people with HIV/AIDS is
a free service of The Centre for AIDS: Hope and Remembrance Project (CFA).
The October 2003 issue includes the following articles and sections:

- Important developments reported at the second International AIDS Society
Conference in Paris
- The latest news on drug warnings, ways to stay healthier, and more
- Expert answers to real questions about HIV disease and its treatment

The newsletter is available at: www.centerforaids.org/rita/alerts.htm. To
receive upcoming issues of this free publication by mail, fill out the CFA
mailing list form (http://www.centerforaids.org/mailform.htm).

5. The National Institute of Health's website, AIDSinfo
http://aidsinfo.nih.gov/, recently launched Live Help, an online service
that provides individual, confidential assistance to visitors experiencing
difficulty navigating the AIDSinfo website, and/or locating federally
approved HIV/AIDS information.

AIDSinfo is currently testing the new help line
https://ailh.aspensys.com/AidsInfo/intro.jsp Monday through Friday, from
12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m. EST. Otherwise, visitors can contact Live Help
staff via email at: ContactUs@aidsinfo.nih.gov or the AIDSinfo Telephonic
Information Service, available Monday through Friday, from 12:00 noon to
5:00 p.m. EST, at (301) 519-0459 (International)


CONFERENCES/EVENTS/RESEARCH RESOURCES

1. Between Men gives an overview of basic issues for men who have sex with
men (MSM) in the context of HIV and other STIs. The booklet also provides
ideas for developing prevention programmes with and for MSM. The
publication has four main sections:

- Basic information about men who have sex with men
- Sexual health and what to consider when designing HIV/STI prevention
programmes
- Strategies and activities to enable MSM to develop HIV/STI prevention
and care programmes
- A useful list of resources for further contacts and information

Between Men is intended for people or organisations who provide support to
NGOs and CBOs starting HIV/STI prevention work with and for MSM. Although
it can be used in many contexts, Between Men aims primarily to support
those planning to work in communities in developing countries where few or
no organisations work with MSM.

The booklet is available at:
www.aidsalliance.org/eng/publications/betweenmen.htm. If you want to order
a printed copy but do not have access to the Internet, request an order
form by e-mail at: publications@aidsalliance.org

2. The report, "In Their Own Right: Addressing the Sexual and Reproductive
Health Needs of Men Worldwide" is the most comprehensive resource
available on men's sexual and reproductive behaviour and needs,
encompassing men aged 15 to 54 in 45 developing and developed countries,
from sexual initiation through marriage and parenthood. The findings
indicate that sexual and intimate relationships, and a stable family life
are important parts of men's lives worldwide. However, many men lack the
information and services required to effectively protect their own and
their partners' sexual and reproductive health. Although men's behaviour
varies widely by region, the report illustrates the consistent need for
sexual health education, diagnosis and treatment of STIs, and for
integrated contraceptive services and support.

The HIV/AIDS epidemic amplifies the consequences of neglecting men, but
the report shows that men's health care needs, and the significance of
men's roles, go far beyond HIV/AIDS. Other STIs and unplanned pregnancies
also have a range of negative consequences for men, women, families and
communities - both direct (by affecting people's health) and indirect (by
affecting the social and economic conditions of their lives, and the life
of the larger community).

To purchase a copy of In Their Own Right (Worldwide), go to:
www.guttmacher.org/shopper/reports.html#FP0055
To download a free executive summary or full-text copy of In Their Own
Right, go to: www.guttmacher.org/pubs/itor.html

3. Journalists reporting on HIV/AIDS are invited to submit their entries
to the inaugural, annual HIV/AIDS Red Ribbon Media Award for Excellence in
Journalism. The award aims to encourage the development of a core of
high-level journalists and other media professionals, to produce
information and communication materials in the printed and electronic
media for general consumption and advocacy. The award will be presented
each year on 1 December to commemorate World AIDS Day, and is open to
entries from the following countries: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda,
Burundi, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia, Comoros, Mauritius,
Seychelles, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Namibia, Botswana, Madagascar and
Mozambique. Entries must have been published or broadcast between 1
December 2002 and 15 November 2003.

For more information on how to participate call: Tel: +254 20 522182;
Email: info@aids-africa.org.

4. Interested individuals are invited to register for, and or submit
abstracts to, the 1st International Students Conference on AIDS, scheduled
for 2 to 6 February 2004 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The conference is
organised by the steering committee of students from the University of Dar
es Salaam, the Hubert Kairuki Memorial University and the Muhimbili
University College of Health Sciences. The conference will be held at the
University of Dar es Salaam, in the Nkrumah and Nyerere halls.

For more information: http://www.muchs.ac.tz/isca/index.html or
http://www.isca.freehomepage.com


VACANCIES

1. The AIDS Law Project Unit at the Centre for Applied Legal Studies in
Johannesburg, South Africa, has fixed-term contract posts for two
attorneys from 7 January 2004, or as soon as possible thereafter. This is
a challenging and exciting position and the successful applicants must
have a passionate commitment to public-interest legal work, and an ability
to work quickly and under pressure. The successful applicants must be
self-motivated and able to work as part of a team.

REQUIREMENTS:

- LLB degree; admitted to the Law Society of South Africa
- Prior research and litigation experience in human rights law, HIV/AIDS,
public impact litigation and legal research would be a strong
recommendation
- A background in advocacy would also be a strong recommendation; at least
three years experience as an admitted attorney, including articles.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

- The successful candidates will be involved in public impact litigation
in key areas of HIV and the law, with a specific focus on HIV-related
discrimination. The successful candidates will be required to promote and
conduct legal campaigns and advocacy on behalf of the ALP.

For more information: Tahera Timol +27 11 717 8621. Submit a detailed CV
with names, addresses and contact numbers of 3 referees and certified
copies of degrees to: Mrs Rose Cooper, Human Resources Officer University
of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, WITS, 2050. Email:
cooperr@hr.wits.ac.za.


IRIN-SA
Tel: +27 11 880-4633
Fax: +27 11 447-5472
Email: IRIN-SA@irin.org.za

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