Pamoja West Africa

Using Reflect for tackling HIV & AIDS

Previously known as STAR, this aspect of Reflect looks at how to integrate learning from work in the reproductive health sector with the Reflect approach. It puts HIV and AIDS at the heart of development discussions and activities. It was developed in East Africa and in June 2006 the first training for the francophone countries of West Africa took place in Guinea.

The idea of looking at HIV&AIDS from the perspective of Reflect came about because in Reflect circles, problems relating to sexual and reproductive health, such as domestic violence, sex work as a coping strategy for food security, the effects of early marriage for girls, family planning methods, and dealing with impacts of HIV&AIDS frequently arise. However, facilitators are not always equipped with the tools, skills and knowledge to help community members explore and respond effectively to these very sensitive issues.

Reproductive Health facilitators and workers dealing with HIV&AIDS issues often find that through gender empowerment processes women in particular become interested in a more sustained discussion or become more aware of their need and right to be literate. However RH facilitators often lack the means to undertake a longer-term process, as well as lacking the tools to build a literacy or broader communications component into their work. Furthermore, facilitators with limited literacy themselves are often hampered in their own effectiveness by being unable to access the information they require. Therefore best practice in tackling the epidemic and mitigating its impacts has often not penetrated where it is needed most at community level.