Dorothy Odhiambo, Wasuna Owino, Esther Gatua

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Dorothy Odhiambo, Wasuna Owino, Esther Gatua
STRENGTHENING PLHIV NETWORKS FOR POLICY ,
ADVOCACY STIGMA REDUCTION
Mexico, August 7, 2008

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2. Introduction

• PLHIV movement in Kenya is currently well
  defined with formation of national, professional
  and community networks of PLHIV.
• The networks play a major role in advocacy to
  enhance quality effectiveness of HIV/AIDS
  responses
• Ensure PLHIV are equal partners, active agents
  of change and not mere beneficiaries, target
  groups or Patients
• Advocate for the promotion of GIPA principles,
  provide support to decrease isolation, and
  depression through valuable experience and
  knowledge sharing
• Contribute to breaking fears and prejudices,
  stigma discrimination

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3. Capacity Assessment

• Eight PLHIV networks were assessed using an
  adapted capacity assessment tool integrating the
  seven (7) McKinseys capacity assessment grid
  including
• Organizational aspirations, Strategy, skills,
  Human Resource, Systems Infrastructure,
  Organizational Structure, and Organizational
  Culture.
• Focus was put on the third element that assessed
  organizational skills
• Local community presence, public relations
  marketing,
• Influencing of policy making, Management of legal
  and liability matters, organizational processes,
  use Development.

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4. Organizational Skills
Scores from 1-4 Score of 1 weak Score of 4
Robust, visible and active.
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5. Emerging Gaps (Issues)

• Weak engagement by PLHIV in advocacy policy
  dialogue program implementation.
• Fragmented, poorly coordinated responses
• Limited capacity for policy analysis gaps
  Weak institutional and organizational structures
• Insufficient attention to human resource, gender,
  poverty
• Weak community presence ineffective leadership
  for community action
• Limited voices and engagement in national HIV
  policy making process,
• Poor management of legal and liability matters
• Weak organizational processes Development

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6. The Networks

• USAID Health Policy Initiative ( HPI) under Task
  Order 1, embarked on capacity strengthening
  program for six PLHIV networks Network of People
  living with HIV in Kenya ( NEPHAK), Network of
  Disabled persons with HIV (UDPK), Network of
  religious leaders infected and affected by HIV
  (KENERELA), Network of Teachers living with HIV
  ( KENEPOTE), Association of Muslim Women (
  AMWOF/ASSALAAM), Kenya Treatment Access
  Movement ( KETAM)

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7. Interventions

• Through local Networks support model, USAID/
  HPI provided technical assistance to all the
  networks in
• Institutional strengthening resource
  mobilization financial assistance through
  Sub-contracts leadership and governance
  training, review and development of governance
  strategies such constitutions, Trainings and
  skills development in policy and advocacy,
  networking and communication. Development of
  support groups, communication and disclosure
  skills, Treatment literacy, non- clinical
  palliative care

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8. Interventions (2)

• Psychosocial support and counseling skills for
  PLHIV and OVC,
• Financial management, human resource management
  development of guidelines, strategies for
  networks expansion, community mobilization for
  advocacy conflict resolution and management.
• Development of GIPA mainstreaming Guidelines,
• HIV/AIDS programming Project planning and
  implementation, policy development circle,
  advocacy process, prevention, treatment , care
  and support community involvement
  participation.

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9. Outcomes

• Improved visibility and engagement of PLHIV in
  national HIV policy and advocacy dialogue,
  decision making fora such as JAPR, NACC- ICC,
  CACCs CCM,
• Increased drive and dynamism in PLHIV to
  contribute to implementation of the KNASP
  2005-2009/10 , and reporting on achievements
• Increased resources, leveraging of additional
  funds for networks community activities
• GIPA Mainstreamed in national response
  Involvement of PLHIV at most levels.

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10. Stories from the Field
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11. Outcomes (2)

• Establishment of new networks network of
  positive health workers, network for Informal
  sector workers Women of Faith addressing Gender
  Based Violence ( GBV),
• Access to services, including treatment by PLHIV-
  (treatment access- 190,000 on ARVS),
• Programs targeting vulnerable populations, care
  and support for OVC.
• Recognition of PLHIV groups by government key
  stakeholders

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12. Lessons Learned

• Using the Networks capacity assessment tool
  enabled focused capacity building for the
  networks.
• Building capacity of PLHIV networks enhanced
  engagement in HIV and AIDS policy and advocacy
  dialogue,
• Supporting PLHIV networks and support groups to
  advocate for rights contributed to reduction of
  stigma and discrimination especially within
  Health facilities
• Enhancing capacity of networks has enriched work
  in monitoring public HIV policies
  accountability for GIPA,

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13. Recommendations

• Build further capacities of PLHIV networks in
  adaptation of the capacity assessment tool to
  identify internal capacity gaps,
• Strengthen capacity monitoring, documentation,
  data collection, analysis and use in filling
  capacity gaps,
• Strengthen engagement and capacity in policy
  analysis and management,
• Develop skills to use the tool for effective
  advocacy, reporting and accountability.