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Prevention and Mitigation of HIV/AIDS Labour and Socioeconomic Impact in the World of Work
Project overview
The ILO introduced HIV/AIDS programme in Ethiopia 2002 with the objective of strengthening the capacity of tripartite constituents to develop policies and programmes that are effective to combat the spread and mitigate the impact of HIV and to protect the rights of infected and affected workers in the world of work. Realizing the impacts of HIV/ AIDS in Ethiopia, ILO launched a project entitled ''Prevention and Mitigation of HIV/AIDS Labour and Socioeconomic Impact in the World of Work''. The project has been financed by the government of Italy as of October 2004. The project would have started in March 2004 and ended in February 2007 but extended until December 2008 for there were some activities that needed to be completed and supported. The project has been implemented in the Oromia Regional State. This project has two components in terms of targeting:
- Agricultural cooperatives and
- Transport sector
Overall objective
The development objective of the project is to contribute to the reduction of HIV/AIDS in the world of work and of its adverse consequences on social, labour and economic development, through the enhancement of workplace prevention and care intervention.
Immediate objectives
- To provide support to the Federal Cooperative Commission, Oromia Cooperative Promotion Commission and Trade, Industry and Transport Bureau of Oromia Region to develop/adapt and endorse sectoral policies/plans of action for the prevention of HIV/AIDS among targeted workers for eventual integration in the National Policy on HIV/AIDS and the world of work.
- To enhance the capacity of the tripartite constituents within the cooperative and transport sectors to implement workplace HIV/AIDS prevention, care and support programmes and policies.
Implementation strategies
- To mobilize and collaborate with the relevant government agencies;
- Collaborate with employers and workers to launch and implement effective and sustainable prevention;
- Contribute to change the behaviours of both individuals and institutions to limit the risk of transmission, and to reduce workplace and community stigma and discrimination, while giving particular attention to gender, care and support;
- Achieving the project objectives by building on the comparative advantages of the ILO in terms of networks, experience drawn from the many HIV/AIDS-related projects already implemented, and knowledge and its main tool in this area of action, that is the ILO’s Code of Practice; and
- Focus project activities on ensuring access to knowledge and education in the local language and on the application of the “train the trainer” method to reach as many workers and stakeholders as possible through a full multiplier effect.
Major project activities
Training: There were two level trainings including training of master trainers and training of peer educators. There were 55 master trainers and 240 peer educators trained by June 2007. In addition, two-day refresher training was organized on selected topics. A total of 29 (53%) master trainers and 194 (81%) peer educators attended the refresher training programme.
Education: Knowledge, attitude, behaviour and practices about HIV/AIDS and related topics were prepared and delivered by peer educators at grassroots level-cooperative society and transport associations. The peer educators were able to reach hundreds of thousands of their respective members and colleagues including their families.
Training aids: The project office prepared toolkit. This toolkit contained booklets, male condom, penile model, shirt and bag with the ILO and Italian logo and a phrase “HIV/AIDS does not discriminate but people do” at the back, notebook and pen”. All peer educators took the toolkit along themselves wearing the shirt whenever they go for HIV/AIDS education programme. This approach helped easily identify the peer educators and greatly contributed to the visibility of the ILO, especially in rural areas.
Workplace HIV/AIDS guidelines: The project office organized two Workplace HIV/AIDS Guideline Formulation workshops and two Validation workshops. The outcomes of these workshops were that the implementing partners reviewed and validated the following Guidelines for future use:
- Oromia Cooperative Workplace HIV/AIDS Guideline
- Oromia Commercial Road Transport Workplace HIV/AIDS Guideline
Both Guidelines incorporated the ten principles of an ILO Code of Practice on HIV/AIDS and the World of Work. Translating into Afaan Oromo and English and printing the Guidelines are activities waiting ahead.
Project impacts
A project review report done at the end of the project indicated that the project has resulted into significant desired impacts including large number of the project beneficiaries gain knowledge and change their attitudes and practices to reduce the risk of HIV infection. Harmful traditional practices reduced significantly. Demand for VCT services increased. Stigma at workplaces and misconception on the mode of HIV transmission reduced and people also started care and support to PLHIV and their families.
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