Access and Equity
Our programmes are non-discriminatory, accessible and equitable.
The term ‘discrimination' is used when people are treated adversely, either by treating them the same when their needs are different, or by treating them differently when they should be treated the same. Equity in programming requires that resources are allocated and programmes are developed in response to the needs of both individuals and communities.
Accessibility of services alone is insufficient to respond to the diverse needs of PLHIV and affected communities. Programmes that are generic in nature, assuming that communities are reached by the same approach or type of service, often reflect and entrench social inequities. To ensure access and equity, programmes need to be tailored to meet the particular needs of PLHIV and affected communities, depending on the context (see Cross-cutting issues: addressing population vulnerability). For example, HIV prevention programmes, for men and women, need to address gender stereotypes, norms, attitudes and practices in order to address underlying gender inequities that increase the vulnerability of women and girls to HIV infection. So too, gender inequities that impede access to services and programmes for women, including those living with HIV, need to be understood and addressed.
Programmes need to be respectful of the culture of individuals, minorities, peoples and communities, and sensitive to gender and life-cycle requirements. Equity of and access to services and programmes are best achieved by actively involving PLHA and affected communities not only in the design and delivery of programmes, but also in a wide variety of roles within NGOs (see sections on the Involvement of PLHIV and affected communities).
Access to programmes and services needs to be supported by workplace polices and practices that ensure:
- the rights of PLHIV and affected communities are respected
- the rights of service users are clearly articulated and promoted to communities, particularly those most marginalised
- people have access to appropriate information to enable them to understand the implications of participation, and freely decide whether or not they wish to participate
- the rights of service users are supported by understandable and accessible complaints mechanisms
- confidentiality is protected, thereby promoting an environment where PLHIV and affected communities feel able to access information and programmes and actively participate in the HIV response and
- PLHIV and affected communities are actively involved in a wide range of roles within the organisation.
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