Workshop on Challenges posed by HIV and AIDS
to Microfinance Institutions in Uganda
Venue: Equatoria Hotel, Kampala
Date: 26-27th of March, 2009
Organisers: AMFIU, STOP AIDS NOW!, HIVOS
Goals
The first day of the workshop aimed to find opportunities for collaboration and issues that have to be tackled in a partnership between MFIs and organizations working for and with people living with HIV. The main goal of the second day was to formulate possible strategies for a partnership. A second goal was to provide information on the design of work place policies for HIV&AIDS within MFIs.
Participants
A total of 35 different organizations participated. Policy officers, managers and directors of MFIs, HIV&AIDS organizations and donors were present. The different parties were equally present: 20 MFIs and 15 HIV&AIDS organizations and 3 different donors (STOP AIDS NOW!, HIVOS and GTZ).
Outcomes
On added value of collaboration:
- Networking and partnering with relevant stakeholders (i.e. partners with a similar vision, capacity of your own organization) should be a key. Different examples of stakeholders were listed: TASO (provision of information on HIV&AIDS and treatment), AIC (testing), AMFIU (network of MFIs), UNASO (network of HIV&AIDS organizations), leaders of churches (in Uganda very important, strong leaders), political leaders.
- Momentum of involving a strategic partner is important (i.e. before design, not after!)
- Needs assessment is always needed before formulation of strategies.
Defined contribution of each sector (MFIs and HIV&AIDS organisations) to the partnership:
Roles of MFIs:
- Mobilise members
- Offer financial services (including: encouragement of savings)
- Financial training skills (financial literacy)
- Technical support
- Market research
Tasks of HIV&AIDS organisations:
- Needs assessment
- Mobilise communities
- Provide health education on treatment for communities and staff of MFIs
- Facilitate access to (early) care and treatment
- Create awareness of service points
Possibilities to overcome challenges:
- Linkages with insurance could cover the higher risk that a MFI faces when HIV&AIDS affects their clients
- Very keen to involve community leaders (e.g. it is discussed that one will only be able to speak to the youth when speaking through the elders)
- Awareness on availability of treatment
- Possible flexible repayment rate
- Providing specific training to all group lenders in order to maintain confidentiality of client status
Relevant issues to take into consideration:
- Targeting of groups should not treat people (i.e. households) infected and affected by HIV&AIDS differently. But targets should be directed towards mobilization of entrepreneurs living with and affected by HIV&AIDS
- The prevalence of HIV&AIDS is high in Uganda (6-7%), therefore prevention and access to support, care and treatment are essential. Attention towards lobby and advocacy is needed. There is a role identified for MFIs in addressing health issues at national level.
Follow up
A high level of commitment among the participants to work together in strategic partnerships was observed. AMFIU will be the leading organization in the follow up of this initiative, in close consultation with the participating organizations.
The following products will be delivered:
- A plan for coordination of the platform
- A memorandum of understanding between micro finance institutions and organizations working with and for people living with hiv
- Programme activities
