IRIN HIV/AIDS Weekly - 139
Africa
25 July 2003


NEWS:

AFRICA: The "sugar daddy" phenomenon
SOUTH AFRICA: Focus on World Bank report on impact of AIDS
ETHIOPIA: Leaders urged to make more effort in fighting HIV/AIDS
RWANDA: UN special envoy promises affordable HIV/AIDS drugs
RWANDA: Kigali gets US $2.8 million for HIV/AIDS control
RWANDA-TANZANIA: Early HIV/AIDS intervention in refugee camps
LIBERIA: Donor support urged for AIDS programmes
CONGO: Government launches national HIV/AIDS council

LINKS:

1. Updated microbicides website
2. New Youth website
3. JOURN-AIDS
4. Red Ribbon

CONFERENCES/EVENTS/RESEARCH:

1. HIV/AIDS Materials for Low-Literate Audiences
2. Young Men, Sexual and Reproductive Health
3. AIDS Vaccine 2003 Conference
4. HIV/AIDS journalist training course
5. South African Gender and Media Baseline Study

VACANCIES:

1. National Director

NEWS

AFRICA: The "sugar daddy" phenomenon

Three teenage girls from a local high school in Johannesburg - South
Africa's economic hub - were gathered in a local NGO office on Wednesday
after watching an educational play on HIV/AIDS. The topic of discussion
had generated a heated debate among the girls, and they were eager to
share their thoughts on "sugar daddies".

Although they were reluctant to talk about their experiences, all the
girls knew someone who was involved with an older man. These older sexual
partners are referred to as sugar daddies, but this type of relationship
is anything but sweet.

Sexual relationships between older men and teenage girls play a
significant role in the high HIV infection rate among young women in
sub-Saharan Africa. But for the people involved in these relationships,
the risk of HIV/AIDS is not a priority.

More details:
http://www.irinnews.org/AIDSreport.asp?ReportID=2304

SOUTH AFRICA: Focus on World Bank report on impact of AIDS

South Africa could face economic collapse within a few generations unless
it adopts a more urgent response to its HIV/AIDS epidemic, a new World
Bank research report warned on Wednesday.

According to the report "The Long-run Economic Costs of AIDS: Theory and
an Application to South Africa", most studies on the macroeconomic costs
of AIDS had overlooked the long-term damage of the disease.

"This report confirms how important it is for policymakers to act swiftly
and effectively to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS, and to treat those with
the disease," the study's co-author, Clive Bell, a visiting World Bank
research fellow said in a statement.

But in South Africa the standoff between AIDS activists and the department
of health over its refusal to implement a treatment policy continues.

More details:
http://www.irinnews.org/AIDSreport.asp?ReportID=2293

ETHIOPIA: Leaders urged to make more effort in fighting HIV/AIDS

Participants in an HIV/AIDS conference in Addis Ababa have called on the
Ethiopian authorities to take a greater leadership role in the fight
against the epidemic.

The call came on Sunday at the end of the symposium, organised by the
pro-government media outlet Walta along with the HIV/AIDS Prevention and
Control Office (HAPCO), and the Centre for Disease Control.

Dr Teklu Belay, from HAPCO, the government's anti-AIDS arm, acknowledged
that successes in the fight against the virus had been "minimal".

More details:
http://www.irinnews.org/AIDSreport.asp?ReportID=2281

RWANDA: UN special envoy promises affordable HIV/AIDS drugs

UN special envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, Stephen Lewis, said on Wednesday
that Rwandans living with HIV/AIDS would "in the near" future have access
to more affordable antiretroviral drugs.

"There's very intense discussion in Rwanda on having antiretroviral drugs
available for treatment and the UN family is ready to help," Lewis said
after meeting Rwandan President Paul Kagame in the capital, Kigali.

He said that Rwanda would soon be receiving money from the World Bank, the
global HIV/AIDS fund, and the Clinton Foundation, which he hoped would
make antiretroviral drugs affordable in the coming years.

"Drugs should be availed at a cheap cost, meaning that they have to
subsidised for the public," Lewis said. "I am quite certain that this will
succeed if the Clinton money comes and the global funds are made
available."

More details:
http://www.irinnews.org/AIDSreport.asp?ReportID=2292

RWANDA-TANZANIA: Case for early HIV/AIDS intervention in refugee camps

Reproductive and sexual health services, including HIV/AIDS and sexually
transmitted infections (STI) prevention and care, should be initiated in
the early stages of a refugee crisis, a joint report by UNAIDS and the
Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has recommended.

The March 2003 report by the two agencies, "HIV/AIDS and STI Prevention
and Care in Rwandan Refugee Camps in the United Republic of Tanzania",
said efforts should focus on how to reach vulnerable groups in the refugee
community, especially young people, single women and people living with
HIV/AIDS.

The joint report is based on an intervention programme carried out between
1994 and 1996 in Rwandan refugee camps in north-western Tanzania. The
agencies described it as the "first large-scale" HIV/AIDS and STI
intervention programme to be implemented during a refugee crisis.

More details:
http://www.irinnews.org/AIDSreport.asp?ReportID=2298

RWANDA: Kigali gets US $2.8 million for HIV/AIDS control

The African Development Bank (ADB) has approved a US $2.8 million grant to
finance Rwanda's national HIV/AIDS control plan, the bank reported on
Tuesday.

The grant is expected to enhance the country's institutional capacities to
coordinate and implement its 2002-2006 multisectoral plan, comprising the
National HIV/ADS Control Commission, national sectoral committees, NGOs,
community associations and religious organisations, the bank reported from
its headquarters in Tunis, Tunisia.

It is expected to boost the government's efforts to improve the health of
its people and to slow down the spread of HIV/AIDS. The bank said the
grant would be used for technical aid, training, impact studies, provision
of equipment and logistics.

More details:
http://www.irinnews.org/AIDSreport.asp?ReportID=2291

LIBERIA: Donor support urged for AIDS programmes

A US-based AIDS NGO on Tuesday expressed concern over donor commitment due
to the current rebel onslaught on Liberia's capital, Monrovia.

The Nduaka Educational Foundation (NEF) recently donated HIV/AIDS test
kits and laboratory equipment to two of the country's major hospitals to
tackle mother-to-child transmission of HIV (MTCT).

However, NEF president, Chudy Nduaka, said the soaring death toll in the
capital could throw into doubt pledges by potential donors to sustain the
project.

More details:
http://www.irinnews.org/AIDSreport.asp?ReportID=2289

CONGO: Government launches national HIV/AIDS council

The government of the Republic of Congo on Thursday launched its National
Council for the Fight Against AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases, with
President Denis Sassou-Nguesso serving as the group's president.

In a statement, the government said that the inauguration of the council
provided "irrefutable proof" of the country's commitment at the highest
levels to "refuse fatalism and to offer a better future to the children of
the Congo".

Speaking during a ceremony in the capital, Brazzaville, Sassou-Nguesso
called on the Congolese to modify their "mentality and behaviour" in an
effort to fight the disease.

More details:


LINKS:

1. The Alliance for Microbicide Development has recently revamped their
website. The new look microbicides website is more user-friendly and now
has more room for more materials and new features. In September, the site
will also be the portal to key bodies of data: the newly reconfigured
Microbicide Research and Development Database, which will be
web-interactive and include a level for transmitting confidential
information; the Clinical Trials Information Centre; and information on
Supportive Research and Acceptability Research.

The site will also house a complete bibliography on microbicide research
and development, which will be searchable and linked to the Database.
www.microbicide.org

2. The German Foundation for World Population (DSW) has launched its new
website, an information network for organisations and institutions working
in the field of adolescent sexual and reproductive health in Francophone
West Africa. The aim of this network is not only to exchange information
and experiences, but also to build capacity and offer tools to
youth-serving NGOs and contribute to the well-being of young people in
Francophone West Africa. http://www.repro-ado.org

3. Journ-AIDS is a research-based intervention being undertaken by the
Centre for AIDS Development, Research and Evaluation (CADRE) aimed at
encouraging in-depth and analytical reporting on HIV/AIDS in South Africa.
The programme follows a participatory approach involving media
representatives in all aspects of the programme design, development of
material and activities.

The Journ-AIDS Website is an online resource for journalists. The site
contains the following features:

- Fact sheets on HIV/AIDS related issues in South Africa
- Key documents such as policy and cabinet statements, the Draft Nedlac
Framework relating to HIV/AIDS
- A searchable contacts and projects database that journalists can consult
when looking for experts to comment on key issues relating to HIV/AIDS in
South Africa
- Tools for journalists providing links to practical reporting guidelines
for journalists covering HIV/AIDS, including the Draft Ethical Guidelines
in Media Reporting on HIV/AIDS in South Africa developed in collaboration
with the AIDS Law Project and taking into codes and legislative frameworks
governing media reporting on HIV/AIDS.
- Links to free online scientific publications on HIV/AIDS and related
news groups.
- Daily media reports on HIV/AIDS and an archive of news reports on
HIV/AIDS
www.journ-aids.org

4. The Red Ribbon site provides business and communities with all the
knowledge required to manage and fight the HIV/AIDS pandemic effectively
and positively. Metropolitan's AIDS Research Unit and the South African
Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS (SABCOHA) have formed a coalition with 20
major South African companies to improve the site. The site provides a
credible resource centre for businesses requiring information pertaining
to best business practices, policies, statistics, guidelines, models and
resource guides to support effective decision-making and implementation of
HIV/AIDS management strategies. http://www.redribbon.co.za


CONFERENCES/EVENTS/RESEARCH:

1. Family Health International has produced a publication for conveying
HIV/AIDS prevention information to people with low-level reading skills.

"Designing Materials on HIV/AIDS/STIs for Low-Literate Audiences" is
available at no charge to users in developing countries. Recognising that
many concepts in HIV/AIDS are difficult to convey to low-literate or
non-literate audiences, this 155-page guide relies heavily on
illustrations, is printed in a larger-than-usual typeface, and features
clear, easy-to-understand explanations.

To request a copy, send your complete address to AIDSpubs@fhi.org

2. "Working with Young Men to Promote Sexual and Reproductive Health" is a
report which explores the issue of young men's sexual health in developing
countries. According to the authors, "work concerning young men and
sexuality has been largely neglected."
http://www.socstats.soton.ac.uk/cshr/pdf/guidelines/workingwithymen.pdf

3. The International AIDS Vaccine conference will be held from 18-21
September 2003 in New York, USA. Created to present the latest basic,
clinical, and public health data relevant to AIDS vaccine development,
this conference will be an opportunity for informal and formal discussions
to facilitate international and interdisciplinary collaborations in the
field of AIDS vaccinology.

Its mission is to advance research in the field by providing a forum (live
and on-line) to share new information regarding the development, delivery,
evaluation, production, and implementation of AIDS vaccines.

The conference will bring together over 1,000 researchers, clinicians,
epidemiologists, public health officials, representatives from the
pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry, and policy makers from around the
world.

Registration Details:
Fees:
Late Pre-Registration US $575 (July 12 - August 18 2003)
On-Site Registration US $650

For more information:
Office of the Conference Secretariat
115 S. Saint Asaph Street
Alexandria, VA 22314 USA
Tel: +1 703-535-6863
Fax: +1 703-535-6899
Email: info@aidsvaccine2003.org
http://www.aidsvaccine2003.org/2003/

4. Southern African radio journalists, who want to improve their technical
knowledge of HIV/AIDS and the impact of the pandemic are invited to a
hands-on, five-day training course at the Institute for the Advancement of
Journalism (IAJ) in Johannesburg, from 11-15 August 2003.

The practical course, aimed at health reporters and producers in both the
public and commercial radio sectors, will include case studies,
assignments, role-plays and group exercises at the IAJ's functional radio
studios.

Participants will also be expected to engage in vigorous discussion and
debate during panel sessions with experts, as part of an attempt to tailor
marketable developmental programming on HIV/AIDS that can be taken back to
newsrooms for immediate broadcast.

The course will recognise the existing experience of participants, but
will also attempt to help participants understand the role of direct and
indirect stakeholders - fellow staff, sources of news and the general
public - regarding the HIV/AIDS issues in South Africa.

The deadline for applications is July 31.

Unsponsored applicants will be expected to pay R850 (about US $100) per
day, inclusive of tuition, course materials and catering.

Application forms are available from IAJ broadcast training coordinators,
Mosotho Stone and Nonhlanhla Mbonani.
Tel: +27-11 484-1765
Fax: +27-11 484-2282
Email: stone@iaj.org.za

5. The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), a regional organisation
that seeks to foster a free, independent and diverse media in the region,
and Gender Links, a Southern African NGO that promotes gender equality in
and through the media, will be launching the South African Gender and
Media Baseline Study, the first comprehensive study on gender in the
editorial content of the media in South Africa.

The launch will also feature other important new gender and media
materials including a bi-monthly gender justice journal, Amalungelo, and a
training manual on Gender, HIV/AIDS and the media.

The event, to be held on 7 August 2003 from 18:00 - 20:00 at the Panorama
Room at the SABC, Auckland Park Johannesburg, will be followed by a
workshop on the baseline study on the 8th and 9th August 2003. The
workshop will include a detailed presentation of the study and a report by
the South African National Editors Forum (SANEF) on its recent AGM on
Engendering the Media.

For more information:

Sheena Louw
Email: sheena@genderlinks.org.za
Tel: +27 11-622-2877
Fax: +27 11 622 4732


VACANCIES:

The Society for Women and AIDS in Kenya (SWAK) is a leading national
women's movement affiliated to Society for Women against AIDS in Africa
(SWAA). SWAK seeks to recruit a national coordinator to be in charge of
overall coordination of the organisations activities.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

- Mobilising women, girls and communities for effective HIV/AIDS
prevention care and support work
- Coordinating, directing, and managing all SWAK programmes at stages of
design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation in liaison with the
board and SWAK management team.
- In charge of the organisations overall budgets, financial transactions
with input from the treasurer and the chairperson and arranging for
financial reporting and auditing
- Responsible for personnel management and human resource development
- Interpreting and implementing SWAK policies in consultation with SWAK
management team
- Ensuring efficiency at the national secretariat and branch secretariats
- Initiate and facilitate resource mobilisation and fundraising and
proposal writing activities by national and branch secretariats.
- Monitoring the implementation of activities and budgets and reporting to
board and donors on monthly, quarterly and annual basis
- Facilitate networking with the government, donors, partners, private
sector, collaborators and the community

REQUIREMENTS:

- Bachelors degree in Public Health or Social Sciences from a recognised
university, postgraduate qualification will be an added advantage
- At least 4 years post university experience in handling similar
responsibilities and working in HIV/AIDS programmes
- Experience in working with community based organisations and NGOs
- Familiarity with HIV/AIDS and development issues affecting communities
in the above regions
- Computer literate in windows and Microsoft Office
- Competent in report writing and proposal development
- Experience in programme management

Interested candidates should submit their application, by 31 July 2003,
enclosing a detailed CV to The National Secretariat, Kamburu drive; off
Ngong Road PO Box 21526, Nairobi – 00505 or by Email:
swak@insightkenya.com.


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

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