HIV Programmes

 

The term HIV programmes refers to work such as HIV prevention and treatment, care and support programmes for PLHIV or HIV-focused interventions that are integrated within broader health and related programming. The goal of HIV programming relates specifically to HIV , for example: preventing HIV transmission and reducing HIV-related stigma and discrimination.

The principles relating to HIV programmes address:

The Code considers both direct and indirect approaches to responding to HIV. It provides good practice principles for HIV programming, including integrating HIV-specific interventions within broader health programming, drawing upon the impressive body of knowledge that exists about how to respond effectively to HIV.

Mainstreaming HIV in Development and Humanitarian Programmes 

It also considers mainstreaming HIV within development and humanitarian programmes. The idea of mainstreaming HIV is relatively new, but there is an emerging practice that seeks to strengthen responses to HIV by paying particular attention to HIV and its consequences in the context of long-term development and humanitarian work.

HIV programming and mainstreaming HIV in broader programmes are mutually reinforcing approaches. For example, micro-financing programmes can assist households to increase their income and build assets, both of which can reduce vulnerability to HIV infection and improve capacity to respond to the consequences of HIV. Similarly, successful HIV programming can reduce vulnerability to HIV infection and stigma and discrimination and maximise access to treatment, care and support, thus facilitating an environment that supports development efforts. Responding to the complexities of HIV is best achieved through the combined efforts of NGOs with different areas of expertise doing what each does best, with a heightened understanding of how their work contributes to addressing HIV.

We recognise that the distinction between HIV programming and mainstreaming HIV is somewhat artificial. For example, humanitarian programming principles for orphans and children made vulnerable by HIV (OVC), are often a hybrid of HIV and mainstreaming approaches, combining HIV-specific interventions, such as HIV and sexual health initiatives, with addressing the causes and consequences of HIV - for instance, by working to improve access to education. Furthermore, OVC programmes may be stand-alone, or they may be integrated within development programming, or be the product of joint initiatives between HIV and development NGOs. Nevertheless, the distinction between the two types of programming is used here to draw out ways in which different NGOs can contribute, and are contributing, to an HIV response, both directly and indirectly.

The programming principles set out in this chapter apply to specific kinds of work undertaken by different types of NGO. Therefore the relevance of these good practice principles will depend on the nature of each NGO's work.