Exploring new frontiers of giving HIV/AIDS a human face and human voice in the workplace; case study of greater involvement of people living with AIDS in fighting stigma and in prevention in Kenya's private sector.
Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. MoOrD1065)
Wainaina GG Kenya HIV/AIDS Business Council, Nairobi, Kenya
The involvement of people living with HIV in fighting stigma and discrimination and in the sensitization campaigns has been found to generate a marked difference in the attitude and acceptance of those living and afected by HIV/AIDS. The Kenya HIV/AIDS Business Council undertook a case study and appointed a GIPA field worker who was posted in a large agricultural firm in Kenya. Over a period of sixteen months, the effect of this appointment among a workforce of 20,000 with 80,000 dependents and communities living in the neighbourhood was phenomental in terms of accepting those affected, uptake of VCT, formation of post test clubs and care and support for those living with AIDS and in the communal support of the large number of ophans. This case example proofs that those living with HIV have unique experience and can bring significant contribution. This is the first such case in Kenya where an employer designated a full time HIV positive member of staff to work, live and manage the HIV/AIDS workplace programs. It has lead to creation of an enabling environment for boosting employee morale, increase in productivity, behaviour change and reduction of stigma and discrimination. The presentation will share the learnings, the challenges and the successes in fighting HIV/AIDS in the workplace in Kenya through the GIPA model and show how this could be replicated elsewhere. It will also show how committment at the highest level of corporate governance can lead to employees coming out and declaring their status. This case study will demostrate that you cannot fight stigma without positive involvement of those living with HIV/AIDS and that the involvement needs to go beyond tokenism to real and substantial role in policy formulation and involvement in the prevention and care activities. It will show how this positively influences the workplace on the broader employee satisfaction level, builds positive image of their employer thus boosting morale and productivity.
Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Seropositivity, Private Sector, HIV Infections, Workplace, Kenya, Voice, Commerce, Health Services Needs and Demand, Demography, Public Policy, Humans, Animal, prevention & control
