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Mainstreaming HIV and AIDS into Youth Plans and Programmes

4 February 2008

HIV and AIDS is currently a major global concern and it has unprecedented impact on socio economic development thus requiring action to prevent it and mitigate its impact

At the 2001 UN general Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) on HIV/AIDS, member countries were asked to integrate AIDS responses into their development frameworks (plans, programmes and policies) at national, sectoral and local levels. The UNGASS on Children of 2002 also called for intensification of action addressing Sexual and reproductive Health Issues including reduction in HIV/AIDS incidences among young people as the form the majority of those infected in the developing countries including Africa.

In line with these, the CYP Regional Office for Africa (CYP RCA), in collaboration with its partners, undertook three sub regional consultations between July 2004 and September 2005 to identify gaps in HIV and AIDS planning and programming and to develop appropriate responses. Three meetings were held in Mahe, Seychelles from 26 - 28 July 2004, Lusaka, Zambia from 6 - 8 December 2004 and Accra Ghana, from 18 - 23 September, 2005 respectively.

The meetings further pointed out that there is need for HIV and AIDS to be firmly on the agenda of the youth development programmes and policies. The sub regional consultations consequently advocated for CYP to assist member countries to mainstream HIV and AIDS into action plans and programmes developed by the ministry. 

It is against this background that CYP collaborated with UNDP in training a core team of trainers to assist member governments in mainstreaming of HIV and AIDS.  The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Regional Service Center for Eastern and Southern Africa is mandated to enhance the capacities of countries in HIV and AIDS programming.  They provide face-to-face training in mainstreaming of HIV and AIDS into national development planning processes.  A total of 20 participants from CYP, Botswana, Namibia, Swaziland, The Gambia, Uganda and Zambia participated in the training. The 4 -week training. 

CYP plans to utilise the trainees in training others thus undertook training of CYP programme staff (not more then 15) including the Regional Director, Programme Managers, Finance and Administration Officer, IT Officer, Conference and Utilities officer, Programme Assistants and Intern (s) from Friday, 18 January to Thursday 24 January 2008 at the CYP Africa Centre.

The objective of the training was to:

  1. Introduce and expose CYP programme staff to the tools and concepts of mainstreaming
  2. Provide CYP programme staff with relevant knowledge and practical skills that can assist them in mainstreaming HIV and AIDS into youth development plans; programmes and policies.

The workshop was conducted using participatory methodologies in order to enhance experience sharing between participants. Methods included:

  • plenary presentations,
  • open discussions;
  • group work,

The workshop was facilitated by a 6 person team from CYP, Youth Ministry, NYDC (Bona Chita, Abigail, Mulako and Benny, V Mensah and J. Odit,).

Materials received from the UNDP supported training and other supplementary ones were used.

 

 

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