GIPAMIPA SOUTH AFRICA WORKPLACE MODEL

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GIPA/MIPA SOUTH AFRICA WORKPLACE MODEL
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OUTLINE

• Background
• The GIPA principle definition
• Why the GIPA principle?
• General lessons learned
• How far have we gone?
• Achievements and challenges
• Recommendation

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BACKGROUND

• The principle of PLHIV participating at all
  levels in response to the AIDS pandemic is now
  fairly acceptable
• Recognition of the GIPA principle is the result
  of a long and tireless struggle by PLHIV
  activists for their self empowerment
• The combined determination of PLHIV and support
  from visionary leaders has made it possible to
  achieve the current results
• There is still a long way to go in translating
  the principle into practice

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DEFINING GIPA/MIPA

• GIPA principle is meant to ensure meaningful,
  democratic involvement and participation of PLHIV
  in planning, programmes and decision making at
  all levels of intervention through self
  empowerment and capacity building
• Giving the epidemic a human face and voice

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WHY THE GIPA PRINCIPLE?

• Direct experience and commitment have no
  substitute no one can respect the interest of
  PLHIV better than PLHIV themselves (advocacy
  role)
• Committed PLHIV are the champions of a
  rights-based approach to AIDS. They contribute to
  increasing political commitment and keeping a
  sense of urgency to the response

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WHY THE GIPA PRINCIPLE? Contd

• PLHIV play a critical role in fighting stigma and
  discrimination, the two biggest obstacles to
  effective prevention treatment
• PLHIV strengthen prevention through social
  mobilization
• Participate in care support, HBC and provide
  treatment literacy including palliative care
• Overall PLHIV do much more than just being faces
  and voices they are change agents, genuine
  contributors to the pandemic

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GENERAL LESSONS LEARNED OVER THE PAST 20 YEARS

• Involvement of PLHIV critical
• Integrating GIPA is a challenge
• Need to
• Empower individuals
• Create context of support.
• Seek meaningful involvement
• Avoid creating token faces voices

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HOW FAR HAVE WE GONE IN SOUTH AFRICA

• Since the GIPA inception, UNDP promotes and
  advocates for the GIPA principle as a key
  intervention strategy for response by
• Supporting capacity development for PLHIV
  organizations
• Facilitating the development of progressive HIV
  and AIDS policies
• Leading efforts to fight stigma and
  discrimination
• Brokering partnerships between HIV positive
  workers and employers

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HOW FAR HAVE WE GONE IN SOUTH AFRICA Contd

• Workplace model developed 1998
• Informed by strategic document of SA existing
  AIDS plan 2001-2005 call for partnership against
  HIV and AIDS.
• Few South Africans knew or spoke of their status
• Opportunity to apply GIPA in new areas and across
  sectors government, civil society, private
  sector.
• Sharing lessons from GIPA pilot initiatives

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ACHIEVEMENTS

• Significant increase in reduction of stigma and
  discrimination associated with HIV and AIDS
• Dignity of PLHIV uplifted
• PLHIV involved in policy and decision making
  processes
• PLHIV play a big role as support groups and in
  care
• Giving HIV and AIDS a human face and voice

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ACHIEVEMENTS Contd

• Reduction of myths, misconception and
  misinformation on HIV and AIDS
• Motivated decision making processes for a big
  number of people to go for HIV testing
• Disclosure of HIV status and breaking the silence
• Expressing the needs of PLHIV-
• Change of attitude of health service providers
• Attracting more public and private institutions
  to implement the GIPA/pr

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ACHIEVEMENTS Contd

• Attract greater donor response to prevention,
  care treatment and support including nutrition
• Positive influence to decision making
• Inspiration, finding a reason to live quality
  life
• Decide to live positively without spreading the
  virus to others
• Learn leadership and commitment
• Improving environment (political, social,
  Technological procedures)

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CHALLENGES

• Both personal and external society stigma still
  exist
• Discrimination within the society and some
  medical personnel still exist
• Lack of treatment knowledge amongst medical
  personnel on care treatment
• The right of enjoying scientific advancement and
  its benefits is yet to be known to many PLHIV
• The elite and professional PLHIV do not break the
  silence

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CHALLENGES Contd

• Networking of PLHIV still poor, even if it exist
  there is low capacity in managing and
  coordinating PLHIV organizations
• Most organisations are formed by those in low
  socio-economic status
• Persistence of tokenism
• Lack of fair remuneration to PLHIV contributing
  to the fight
• Limited capacity , skills, VCT services

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IMPACT OF THE WORKPLACE MODEL

• Trained 25 GFWS. Partnered 20 organisations in
  various sectors
• Contributed to the global debate
• Documented as a UNAIDS best practice
• Assisted in improving visibility of PLHIV in SA
• Supports PLHIV networks
• Assists national policy dialogue and programme
  formulation

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WORKPLACE IMPACT

• Bring unique skills and experience
• Add credibility to programmes
• Ensure relevance
• Provide in-house counselling
• Counter stigma and discrimination
• Create positive environment
• Lead and advocate
• Advocate for positive living

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LESSONS LEARNED

• SA experience reflects global challenges
• Empowerment and environment are the most critical
• We learned
• Organisations need preparation and planning
• Select fieldworkers on skill not status
• Professional training essential to empowerment
  and leadership.

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RECOMMENDATION

• Drive towards stronger policy and legislation
  that would compel the government and private
  sector
• Impact studies focusing on the performance of
  PLHIV at all key levels
• PLHIV do more than just giving the epidemic a
  human face and voice because they are resourceful
• Incorporate gender-acknowledge that women and men
  are not the same

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RECOMMENDATION Contd

• Acknowledge that GIPA on its own will not
  eradicate stigma and discrimination
• Acknowledge that it is not all PLHIV who can be
  open about their status
• A need for GIPA to advocate for all right of
  PLHIV
• Like any other rights, the right for the
  meaningful participation of PLHIV will be won
  through a struggle. The good news is that this
  can be done!!!!!!

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Acknowledgement

• All GIPA/MIPA for their contribution and the
  support.