AFRO-NETS> SAfAIDS Newsflash: Men and HIV

[Juliet Mkaronda <juliet@safaids.org.zw>]

SAfAIDS Newsflash: Men and HIV
------------------------------

On November 30th 2000, the booklet 'Men and HIV in Swaziland' was of-
ficially launched by UNAIDS and the Family Life Association of Swazi-
land (FLAS). SAfAIDS, Panos and UNAIDS collectively produced the 
booklet based on research and a series of workshops on men and HIV. 
As it was intended, the booklet has stimulated excitement, interest 
and commitment among policymakers and the media to support programmes 
focusing on men and HIV. At the launch, the Acting Prime Minister 
commended the work and demonstrated his support by pledging funds for 
the translation of the booklet into Siswati. In addition, in atten-
dance, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare highlighted the im-
portance of strengthening HIV prevention programmes and policies by 
including men. 

At the launch, the invited guests had the opportunity to ask ques-
tions and providing suggestions for improving HIV prevention strate-
gies. One suggestion proposed workshops for chiefs and community 
leaders to enhance the support and wide distribution of the informa-
tion

The booklet, 'Men and HIV in Swaziland' is a unique publication that 
collates discussions and debates on HIV issues in Swaziland. As a 
prelude to World AIDS Day, the launch of the booklet played a central 
role in introducing this year's theme, 'Men make a difference'. Hope-
fully, the booklet will be used as a tool to advocate for increased 
understanding of the role men play in the HIV epidemic.

"The work that we have just completed together has actually fulfilled 
our role as pioneers and advocates in areas of sexual and reproduc-
tive health."
(D.Khetsiwe, Executive Director of FLAS, 2000)

--
Info e-mail weekly bulletin, the INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIP AGAINST 
AIDS IN AFRICA reports:

"The Ministry of Public Service and Information in Swaziland has 
planned an unprecedented mass training exercise of all civil servants 
in the country on HIV/AIDS prevention and control. The exercise, 
which is being managed by the HIV/AIDS Crisis Management and Techni-
cal Committee, was identified during the national strategic planning 
for HIV/AIDS. The training will be carried out over three months for 
the 30 departments in the country's 16 ministries." 

For more information, contact:  
Bernadette Olowo-Freers
UNAIDS Country Programme Adviser
Swaziland
mailto:bolowo-freers@realnet.co.sz 

It is hoped that the booklet, 'Men and HIV in Swaziland' will be used 
as a resource tool for these training sessions.

--
"As real men, we should strive to be exemplary and change sexual hab-
its that can ruin our lives, particularly when there is the danger of 
getting and passing on HIV/AIDS. We have only one life, one chance 
and therefore it is never too late to change bad habits."
(Oliver Mtukudzi, a popular Zimbabwean musician)

After several months of research and workshops on men and HIV, four 
publications were produced. 
* Men and HIV in Swaziland
* Men and HIV in Zimbabwe
* Men and HIV in Zambia
* Men and HIV in Malawi

Each publication explores the issues related to men and HIV in the 
respective countries. More than research reports, these publications 
present the collaborative efforts of epidemiologists, social scien-
tists, people living with HIV and representatives of men's groups. 
The booklets are written in an accessible language and style to pro-
vide an overview of the issues and to stimulate debate among policy-
makers and media institutions in the region.

COMING SOON....
On February 1, 2001:
"Men and HIV in Zimbabwe"
will be launched in Harare, Zimbabwe.

The booklets from Malawi, Swaziland, and Zambia are currently avail-
able on the Panos Website:
http://www.panos.org.uk

The booklets from Swaziland and Zimbabwe will be available in January 
2001 on SAfAIDS website:
http://www.safaids.org.zw

Resource-poor organisations in southern Africa can order the booklets 
free of charge from:

Panos Southern Africa
PO Box 39163
Lusaka, Zambia
Tel: +260-1-290-037
Fax: +260-1-293-162

Any enquires can be directed to:

Priscilla Mataure
Southern Africa AIDS Information Dissemination Service (SAfAIDS)
17 Beveridge Road
PO Box A509
Avondale, Harare
Zimbabwe
Tel: +263-4-336-193/4, 307-898/9
Fax: +263-4-336-195
mailto:priscilla@safaids.org.zw

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