[afro-nets] Performing Arts: SAfAIDS Call for Statement of Interest

[Joshua Chigodora <joshua@safaids.org.zw>]

Performing Arts: SAfAIDS Call for Statement of Interest
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By Rouzeh Eghtessadi, Harare

Integrating HIV/AIDS and Gender into the Performing Arts World

Southern Africa HIV/AIDS Information Dissemination Services (SA-
fAIDS) is committed to HIV and AIDS related capacity develop-
ment, research and increasing action and advocacy, within a gen-
der and human rights based approach and from an ethical and ef-
fective perspective in the southern African region.

As part of our Policy and Legal Reform Program, aimed at pro-
tecting the status of women and girls in the midst of HIV and
AIDS in southern Africa, SAfAIDS shall offer comprehensive and
empowering regional Training of Trainers (ToT) workshops to per-
forming arts groups/organisations in the region. This resolution
was taken after identifying that current conventional approaches
to developing gender transformative behaviours in the fight
against HIV and AIDS remain largely ineffective. Experience and
scientific data reveals that the use of the performing arts and
'edutainment' in empowering communities with coping skills and
relevant knowledge is effective in mobilizing communities to-
wards ensuring the protection of women and girls.

Our first ToT workshop has been scheduled for 7 - 12 February
2005. Performing arts groups/organisations, with interest in
HIV/AIDS and Gender Issues, in southern Africa are invited to
submit a statement of interest in participating in this ToT, and
develop a collaborative relationship with SAfAIDS in its future
HIV/AIDS related performing arts initiatives. Limited sponsor-
ship is available to support a few groups/organisations to at-
tend the ToT. Groups/organisations able to self-fund or co-fund
their attendance shall be given preference during our selection
process. Each selected group/organisation shall:

- Participate in a 6 day elaborate workshop, facilitated by an
international performing arts expert and co-facilitators with
gender, legal aid and HIV/AIDS expertise and experience in the
region.

- Receive a copy of a Manual developed by SAfAIDS, entitled "In-
tegrating HIV/AIDS and Gender into the Performing Arts in South-
ern Africa"

- Be linked with relevant gender, human rights, legal aid and
HIV/AIDS related networks, groups and organisations

- Be empowered to developed performing arts related programmes
that can secure financial support in the areas of HIV/AIDS and
Gender in the region

- Become a collaborative partner with SAfAIDS and its intermedi-
ary partner organisations in their efforts to promote HIV/AIDS
and Gender topical issues through use of the performing arts in
the region.

SAfAIDS invites you to complete the short statement of interest
below and return mailto:rouzeh@safaids.org.zw or
mailto:info@safaids.org.zw, or fax to +263-4-336-195 by December
18, 2004.

Groups and organisations with members who are predominantly
women and girls are ESPECIALLY encouraged to complete and submit
this statement of interest.

All Performing Arts Groups/Organisations selected will be re-
quired to complete a brief summary report of activities under-
taken.

Rouzeh Eghtessadi
Harare
mailto:rouzeh@safaids.org.zw

****************************

Name of Group/Organization:

Name of Director and Contact Person (if different):


Full mailing address, fax, website and telephone contact:


1. Please give a brief description of the primary focus of your
group/organisation


2. How many women and men make up your group/organisation? What
are
their positions?


3. Has your group/organization participated in HIV/AIDS, Gender
and
Human Rights related activities before? If yes, please describe.


4. Has your group/organisation developed performing arts pro-
grams (plays, songs, poetry etc) from an HIV/AIDS, gender or Hu-
man Rights perspective? Please describe how, when, frequency and
the audience with which this was shared.


5. Is your group/organisation able to secure funding to develop
HIV/AIDS, Gender and Human Rights related programmes (plays,
songs, poems, mimes, dances etc)? Please specify.


6. How would the ToT compliment your efforts in the performing
arts world?


7. Is your group/organisation:
a. able to secure sponsorship to self-fund their transport, ac-
commodation and registration expenses for the ToT?

b. able to secure sponsorship to co-fund, for transport and ac-
commodation, with SAfAIDS covering food and registration ex-
penses for the ToT?

c. in need of sponsorship for all expenses to attend the ToT?

(tick above where appropriate)

8. Would you be able to transfer the gained knowledge and skills
from the ToT with other performing arts groups/organisations in
your community? Yes..... / No.......

If 'Yes", please describe how you would intend to do so and how
effective your efforts would be. Please list at least three
other groups/organisations you would be able to train in your
community.


9. Do you anticipate any difficulties in being able to share
your knowledge and skills with other performing arts organisa-
tions in your community/country? Please explain.


10. Do you commit to sharing regular reports (preferably includ-
ing photos, tapes and other similar methods) on how your
group/organisation has integrated HIV/AIDS, Gender and Human
Rights into your activities?


11. Are you willing to be part of a SAfAIDS follow-up exercise
to the ToT, for ongoing support and monitoring and evaluation
purposes? Yes............/ No..........


Name and title of person completing this form

Contact details:

Date:

Act, Dance, Sing and Recite HIV/AIDS, Gender and Human Rights:
Protect the Status of Women and Girls in Southern Africa