HIV and AIDS and the NGO workplace
International NGOs, like many international businesses, have recently woken up to the need for workplace policies and programmes on HIV and AIDS. HIV and AIDS is not just leaving a significant proportion of their beneficiary groups infected and affected, but also has an impact on their internal organisation. CSOs struggle because of loss of staff through sickness, death, care for relatives, reduced performance of staff, rising medical expenditures and discrimination and stigma aimed at workers living with or affected by HIV and AIDS. This problem is exacerbated by lack of information among staff to make informed decisions, and lack of treatment, care and support.
Reducing the impact
Having HIV workplace policies and programmes helps to reduce the impact of HIV and AIDS on organisations and their staff, ultimately maintaining the performance and effectiveness of the organisation. The positive effects are worth much more than the extra costs involved, yet many organisations - especially local NGOs - still do not respond, or do not know how to respond, to HIV and AIDS within their own organisation.
Scaling up the reponse
In 2004 STOP AIDS NOW! therefore started a development project called "Managing HIV and AIDS in the workplace" to actively address the effects and impact of HIV and AIDS within development organisations. Over the years we have achieved impact and many lessons have been learnt. Nevertheless, our response can be stronger! STOP AIDS NOW!, its partners and their counterparts are ready for a next step. Through a joint programme we want to intensify our investment. Already several countries have been identified for possible scaling up of the response. This includes countries in both Asia and Sub Saharan Africa. Read more...
