On April 7-9, 2008 the first workshop in Tanzania took place
During this workshop financial institutions were brought together for the first time to discuss possibilities to improve the livelihoods of people with HIV and other vulnerable groups. This workshop marked the first steps towards a national platform on microfinance.
The workshop gathered the following Micro financing Institutions from Tanzania: BRAC, CONCERN, Faiders, FSDT, Kaderes, Pride Tanzania, Tujijienge, WEDAC. Hivos from The Netherlands; AMFI from Kenya; AMFIU from Uganda; Oxfam International; Pharm Access.
The main outcomes of the workshop
- People with HIV are part of our community. Ignoring them or not paying adequate attention to their needs and concerns poses risks to micro-finance programmes.
- There should be a focus on a household with HIV rather than a person with HIV. This is because loans are given for productive activities. Focusing on a household with HIV is much broader and perhaps sustainable.
- There should be new or adapted strategies, policies & products to reach people with HIV with micro-financial services.
- There should be effective collaboration among MFIs and AIDS organisations (eventually including micro-insurance and business development organisations) to implement strategies directed towards people with HIV. Motivations for collaboration: (a) Enhance knowledge on prevalence & impact of HIV on clients and MFIs; (b) improve MFIs’ ability to respond to HIV; (c) reduce stigma and discrimination; (d) develop guidelines for effective AIDS Workplace Policy (WPP)
Follow up:
- Organise second workshop to launch national platform for HIV and AIDS, and Microfinance in East Africa. Due to the interest of invited MFIs from Kenya and Uganda, the programme will now have a regional character
- Develop a joint programme with the MFIs and AIDS organisations (Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya) for an external financing
- Present experiences from Tanzania and Nicaragua during the International Aids Conference in Mexico. HIVOS and STOP AIDS NOW! will organise a workshop on the subject together.
- Share experiences from Tanzania during the MicroNed Annual Congress on 24th June
The tips from the donor perspective, to be considered within the dialog with micro financing institutions:
Many MFIs shun away from operating in rural areas and concentrate urban and sub urban locations where the challenges are less stiffer compared to rural areas. The awareness on HIV and AIDS in rural areas is scanty. Donors should make clear their concern to reach and improve the services in rural areas.
Integration of HIV and AIDS into MFIs Business plans provides a smooth mainstreaming and implementation, without overstretching resources of core activities and affords HIV and AIDS component a due attention
Some lending institutions shun away from giving loans to individuals (regarding risk prone loanees) who have been proved or believed to be HIV positive
There is no specific budget provided for external mainstreaming of HIV and AIDS. Hence, the intervention is limited to few aspects and to few members of the community
