IPPF Workshop - Documenting Stigma and Discrimination

Submitted by ICW on 19 March, 2008 - 09:34.
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IPPF is organising a workshop about a new project that will document the perspectives of people living with HIV and experiences of stigma and discrimination (please see below for criteria and details of how to apply). We invite you to send in an expression of interest to participate in a workshop about a new research initiative—the People Living with HIV Stigma Index—that is a joint initiative between UNAIDS, IPPF, GNP+ and ICW.

The workshop has 3 main objectives:

  • introduce the people living with HIV stigma index and build a regional platform to support future work with the initiative in the future
  • support planning and resource mobilisation for in-country rollout of the stigma index
  • introduce techniques for future training and rollout in specific countries

In Africa, the workshops will be in early May (12-16 May in Southern/ East Africa and 19-22 May in West Africa—location to be confirmed).

Background and General Information to the People Living with HIV Stigma Index

HIV related stigma and discrimination are widely recognised as barriers to accessing HIV prevention, treatment and care services. Without addressing stigma, the goal of universal access will be impossible to achieve. Much of what we know about the stigma attached to HIV, and resulting discrimination, is anecdotal or fragmented and does not include the perspective of people living with HIV. The index will increase the understanding of how stigma and discrimination is experienced by people living with HIV. The evidence gained will then shape future programmatic interventions and policy change.

The index is a tool to be used by, as well as for, people living with HIV. The index includes a questionnaire that explores ten key areas to build up a deeper understanding of stigma and how it manifests itself for those living with HIV. A User Guide has also been published to support the facilitators and to ensure consistency, confidentiality, and sensitivity in the use of the questionnaire. Once the initiative is underway, the results will enable analysis of changing trends over time in each country and deepen understanding of what works (and doesn’t work) in addressing stigma.

In preparation for rolling out this initiative at the national level, we must first build systems and capacity across the region. Participants from the regional workshop will have the opportunity to develop the rollout of the index in-country with the guidance and support of the IPPF, UNAIDS, GNP+ and ICW.

Invitation to participate in the regional ‘training of trainers’ workshop

We invite you to participate in an introductory and strategic planning workshop about the index. The workshop will be co-facilitated by the project coordinator from IPPF and a national researcher from GNP+ or ICW. The UNAIDS regional and national offices will also be involved in hosting the workshop. IPPF will pay for the conference costs, per diems during the conference, accommodation and the airfares for the regional trainers.

Selection Criteria

Ten people living with HIV (no more than 2 from each country, ideally from the same organisation or network) will be selected to participate in the workshop. It is envisaged that these participants will become regional focal points for the initiative and be involved with training and implementation in their respective countries when national rollout commences.

Participants must fulfil the following criteria:

1.        Be living with HIV

2.        Be from an organisation with a long standing commitment to working with HIV

3.        Agree with the aims and goals of the index

4.        Be willing and able to coordinate the rollout of the index across the country and the amount of travelling and time commitment this will involve

5.        Have training and or research experience

6.        Fluent in English [except in West Africa, where the workshop will be conducted in French]

The training will culminate in short-term action plans by the representatives of each network / organisation, for which limited funds may be provided by IPPF.

To apply please write 500-750 words explaining why would like to participate in this programme, your interest and/or previous research experience, and how you envision the national rollout of the index in your country. We also ask you to include an endorsement from the head of your network / organisation stating their support for your involvement in this process, now and in the future. Please send these statements as soon as possible to Hugues Lago (hlago@ippfaro.org) and Lucy Stackpool-Moore (lstackpoolmoore@ippf.org), and by Wednesday 9 April at the latest.

We look forward to hearing from you and working with you on this important initiative.