A Review of Training Materials for Religious Leaders

Religious leaders and communities can play a significant role in reducing HIV-related stigma. In order to strengthen that role, training materials and toolkits for religious leaders have been developed and used in a variety of contexts and religious traditions. Different materials focus on different aspects of stigma and the HIV epidemic and in some cases emphasize different approaches.

Nonetheless, there are many similarities and broad areas of agreement, and thirteen specific recommended practices have been identified that reflect the accumulated experience embodied in the materials.

Faith Engagement in the HLM

The Interfaith Health Platform, in consultation with partners, has developed the following messages to support religious leaders and faith-based representatives as they meet with their government representatives and at global level to discuss and help draft an effective 2021 Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS.

View other resources on the Interfaith Health Platform site – How  faith groups can get involved, Multi-stakeholder Hearing HLM : Faith-based Interventions and more

Contextual Bible Study Manual on Young People

Africa is a “young continent.”. The majority of the continent’s citizens are young people.

Churches in Africa must reflect this reality in their planning, activities and programmes. Unfortunately, however, young people tend to be marginilised in most African families, churches, communities, institutions and countries. This minimisation of young people can be seen in how African theology has neglected issues of concern to young people.

While there is debate over whether Africa’s young population is an opportunity or  risk, which is clear is that churhes (and other faith-based institutions) need to step in and play a definite role in shaping African young people. Dedicated church leaders need to invest in working with young people. They must trust young people, accord them respect, mentor them and accept their leadership. The proximity of church leaders makes them the ideal point of contact for the community, inclusive of young people. In this context, church leaders are:

• Found in many communities, including the remote ones
• Respected members of the community
• Strategic and knowledgeable in interpreting sacred texts
• Presiding over institutions such as churches, schools and hospitals, that interface with young people
• Well placed to strategically and programmatically influence government policies which have a bearing on the welfare of children and youth.

Churches in Africa must seek to address positive sexual health, provide effective Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) to children and young people, address sexual and gender-based violence and inculcate the values of Transformative Masculinites and Femininities to promote gender justice. All of these efforts contribute towards elimination of the challenge of HIV and AIDS.

Click here for the document on the World Council of Churches website

Religious leaders and institutions have been a vital part of the global response to HIV and AIDS since the early days of the epidemic. However, the faith-based response to HIV must be scaled up significantly if we are to end the HIV epidemic by 2030. This strategy paper outlines success criteria, the key elements of a coordinated interfaith strategy, and near-term activities that will lay a solid foundation for executing the strategy during the rest of the 2020s. It reflects the continuing efforts spurred by the September 5, 2019, event “Two Possible Futures: Faith Action to End AIDS,” which was hosted at the Berkley Center in partnership with the Georgetown University Global Health Initiative, World Faiths Development Dialogue, and International Shinto Foundation; it featured many of the contributors to this paper as speakers. This paper was made possible through the efforts of David Barstow, who drafted the paper and coordinated with all listed contributors to ensure that their insights were accurately reflected.

Olivia Wilkinson, Director of Research of the Joint Learning Initiative on Faith and Local Communities is a Contributor to this paper.

“Created in Gods Image”
Southern Africa Faith Leaders Support Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights for All

We, as members of the faith community, believe that we cannot stand by and watch when our people are without information on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) within a region which accounts for 10% to 13% of maternal mortality, 95% of teenage pregnancies worldwide and an HIV burden that estimates one in five adults aged between 15 and 49 to be HIV positive. Girls Not Brides estimates that “15 of the 20 countries with the highest rates of child marriages in the world are in Africa”.In sub-Saharan Africa it is estimated that 39% of girls are married before their 18th birthday, while 13% are married by their 15th birthday. Child brides are most likely to be found in rural areas, among the poorest and most illiterate segments of the population. Faith communities are present in all these societies.

We have a collective duty as the faith community to use our leadership influence to educate and advocate for greater access to age- and context-appropriate SRHR information and services. We acknowledge the existence of SRHR policies in 13 out of 15 countries of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), some of which are outdated and need to be updated to align with the Southern African Development Community SRHR Strategy 2019-2030.

As faith communities in Southern Africa, we have been responding to, and will continue to respond to, issues relating to SRHR. We have been actively involved in preventing and responding to early and unplanned pregnancies, child marriage, gender-based violence, and HIV/AIDS.

This policy brief represents reflections by theologians from diverse communities of faith, on the engagement of such communities with issues relating to SRHR in Southern Africa. It serves to communicate the value that the faith communities bring to the discourse and practice of SRHR in the region. Further, it expresses the centrality of faith to the debates and activities relating to SRHR at different levels.

Read the Interfaith brief on teenage pregnancy

Read the Interfaith brief on gender-based violence

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child advocates for the provision of programs and services that will promote early health, development and well-being of children and their caregivers. This is particularly important given that current statistics indicate that “a quarter of the world’s youngest children suffer one or more forms of severe deprivation and risk, such as poverty, disease, disability and exposure to violence.”1 Children infected or affected by AIDS are at a distinct disadvantage, especially with regards to education, nutrition, health, safety, and development. As these children are less likely to have their basic needs met, they are more likely to be sick or malnourished, suffer psychological trauma, endure abuse, and become HIV positive. Furthermore, young children are especially vul-nerable to the effects of HIV and AIDS, given the critical importance of the first five years of life in brain development and in providing the foundations for lifelong development. Ultimately, children affected by HIV and AIDS (CABA) are less able to reach their potential as pro-ductive members of society than other children and are more likely to perpetuate the cycle of illness and poverty. Moreover, as the HIV pandemic puts great strains on the existing community based safety net responses, it is essential to build family resiliency through approaches that boost household ability to recover from shocks (e.g. illness, loss of income, etc), improve ability to cope even in the event of shocks and support, thereby strengthening the first line of response in order to build a safe and nurturing home environment. Although most countries with a high prevalence of HIV and AIDS have national strategies in place to support CABA, there are few programs designed specifically to meet the special needs of children under five. Therefore, as researchers and program implementers uncover more evidence of the long term consequences of HIV/AIDS on children, new approaches are urgently needed.

Tremendous progress against AIDS over the past 15 years has inspired a global commitment to end the epidemic by 2030. Of the 37.6 million people living with HIV, 20.9 million are accessing HIV treatment as of July 2017. Through support from the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), and other partners, more people are living longer, healthier lives with HIV. However, women are still disproportionately affected by the HIV epidemic around the globe; as of 2016, AIDS-related illnesses were the leading cause of death among women of reproductive age (15-49 years), and new infection rates are 44% higher in young women than in young men.1 Young men, however, also have an increased risk of dying from HIV. In many communities around the world, faith-based organizations (FBOs) are finding ways to work with those living with HIV in ways that shift harmful cultural and gender norms to provide HIV information and care to both men and women. Through the Start Free, Stay Free, AIDS Free Framework and the PEPFAR/UNAIDS Faith Initiative, PEPFAR and UNAIDS are working together with four faith partners to strengthen the engagement of faith leaders and communities to address gender inequities, toxic masculinities, and sexual and gender-based violence, and to create demand for treatment and support retention in care.

Working together, UNAIDS, PEPFAR, and their faith-based partners are working to support women’s empowerment, address gender-based violence, and encourage men to understand their own roles and responsibilities in supporting HIV prevention and treatment and addressing gender inequities.

Religiously-motivated stigma regarding HIV may lead to denial and discrimination, preventing children and adolescents from receiving the critical care they need. Without treatment, HIV progresses rapidly and is often fatal in infants and children – almost 75% of untreated, HIV-infected children will die by their fifth birthday.6 Understanding and addressing stigma while also expanding opportunities for early diagnosis and treatment of children by maximizing the resources of faith-based pediatric HIV providers are critical for preventing HIV transmission, disease progression, and death. To address this challenge, the UNAIDS/PEPFAR Faith Initiative worked with Caritas Internationalis to host a series of meetings with senior leaders from government, donors, civil society, and the private sector. Participants established a plan with 41 commitments to focus, accelerate, and collaborate on the development, registration, introduction, and roll-out of the most optimal pediatric formulations and diagnostics to increase the numbers of children on antiretroviral therapy.

The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), together with the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), launched an initiative in 2015 to strengthen collaboration with faith-based partners in response to The Lancet Series on faith-based health care and the UNAIDS The Gap Report. The purpose of the FBO initiative was scaling up partnerships with faith-based organizations (FBOs) and addressing issues highlighted as important by The Lancet Series and the The Gap Report. 1,2,3 This report describes the work of the PEPFAR/ UNAIDS FBO Initiative between 2015 and 2019.

The global Anglican Communion has played a significant role in pursuit of the Millennium Development Goals and the successor goals, the Sustainable Development Goals.

In many parts of the world, provinces, dioceses, parishes, agencies and individuals connected to Anglican communities have led the way in delivering health and education services, helped improve access to education, reduce child and maternal mortality, and assisted in turning the tide on HIV/AIDS and other diseases. In places of instability and conflict it is often the church – along with other faith communities – that is the sole surviving institution providing hope, relief and support to those most in need.

The Anglican Alliance is currently producing a major new resource that will set the Sustainable Development Goals in a theological context, which will be shared across the Anglican Communion and will be a vital tool in strengthening knowledge and understanding of the SGDs and the role that the Church is playing and can continue to play in pursuit of the Goals.

Written Statement from the Anglican Consultative Council, July 2019

The global Anglican Communion is playing a significant role in pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals and “leaving no one behind”. Globally, Anglicans and Anglican agencies are delivering health and education services, supporting access to birth registration, welcoming refugees and internally displaced people into their communities, reducing child and maternal mortality, and helping turn the tide on HIV/AIDS and other diseases. In places of instability and conflict, churches are often among the only institutions left providing hope and relief to those in need…

Click here to read the Commitments from the Anglican Consultative Council

Kenya AIDS Strategic Framework (KASF) 2014/15 – 2018/19 embraces a multi-sectoral approach to HIV programming and emphasizes the importance of participation and accountability in every sector in the HIV response. This calls upon communities to respond to HIV within their local context; and all stakeholders to be aligned and be held accountable for results in the Strategic Framework. HIV and AIDS impacts on socio-economic development of any country and, all sectors including the faith sector must be engaged effectively in the HIV response of the country.
Religious leaders across the cultural divide and affiliations have generally perceived and approached HIV and AIDS as a sexual and moral issue leading to increased Stigma, Shame, Denial, Discrimination, Inaction and Mis-Action (SSDDIM) from and within the Faith Sector. Consequently, efforts to promote and scale up HIV testing, counselling, prevention and treatment have been systematically frustrated in the Faith Sector. This necessitated the development of The National Action Plan, now referred to as The Faith Sector Action Plan (FSAP), which brings into perspective the reality of HIV issues in the Faith Sector and prioritizes actionable areas of focus.
This document was greatly informed by recommendations drawn from the report of the aforementioned 2011 National Religious Leaders Convention on HIV Prevention which adopted the theme: Doing More, and Doing Better: Towards Zero New Infections. In addition, analysis of the recommendations emanating from both regional and country policy frameworks, consultative processes and declarations were taken into account in the formulation of the actions stated herein. This Faith Sector Action Plan is therefore a practical tool for the designing of actions aimed at increasing multi-sectoral and multi-faith involvement.

This strategic FBO framework was developed to support and guide work already being undertaken globally, regionally and nationally by a diverse range of committed individuals
and organizations. The UNAIDS–FBO strategic framework is the result of an 18-month consultation process between the UNAIDS Secretariat and Cosponsors, many FBOs, networks
of people living with HIV, government representatives and technical experts during 2008–2009.

Religion is a powerful force in southern Africa, affecting all aspects of daily life and health (Anderson 2001, Chitando 2007a), particularly among rural women (Agadjanian 2005). Rural churches are a center for informal social interaction, shaping attitudes and behaviors of its members (Agadjanian and Menjivar 2008). Yet, the role of religion in the sub-Saharan HIV epidemic has received limited attention in the literature. Few studies (e.g., Gregson et al. 1999, Garner 2000, Agadjanian and Menjivar 2008, Mpofu et al. 2011) have probed the mechanisms through which religious affiliation might affect HIV-related risk factors in subSaharan Africa. At the same time, there is a growing scientific consensus about the importance of structural and social contextual factors that shape HIV-related attitudes, behaviors, and outcomes (Gupta et al. 2008, Amon and Kasambala 2009).

The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of religion on HIV-related behaviors and attitudes among orphan adolescent girls participating in a randomized controlled prevention trial (RCT) in rural Zimbabwe. The RCT sought to test the notion that a structural intervention providing school fees and other support for orphan girls to stay in school can help reduce HIV risk behaviors and attitudes. After two years, the intervention reduced school dropout by 82% and early marriage by 63% compared to controls, and showed a trend toward more equitable gender attitudes and more protective attitudes about future expectations and delayed sex (Hallfors et al. 2011). In the present study, we examine the influence of religion, controlling for intervention effects.

Early in the study, we observed that the influence of the Apostolic Church was widespread and increased the likelihood of girls dropping out of school to marry. Despite a strong and growing presence in southern Africa, we found very little in the published peer-reviewed literature about the Apostolic Church, and no studies comparing HIV biomarker data between Apostolics and other religious denominations. Because our study did not include HIV biomarker data, we used population based data from the latest Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey (2006 ZDHS) as a supplementary source to further examine the relationship between religion, marriage, and HIV infection among young rural women.

People destabilized by armed conflict, including refugees, internally displaced persons, in particular, women and children are at increased risk of exposure to HIV infection (United Nation General Assembly 2001). The above quotation suggests that internally displaced persons in general and women and children in particular are among the most vulnerable groups who are exposed to an increased risk of contracting HIV/AIDS. As a matter of fact, a number of factors may facilitate the prevalence of the disease among the IDPs. On one hand, the vulnerability of the women emerges from the fact that they are at increased risk of sexual violence and abuse during conflicts and wars (Amowitz et al. 2002, p. 329). This is because at the time of conflicts, rape was considered a weapon of war. Moreover, conflicts and wars usually break down the institutions as well as the social networks that provide support and protection to the women (UNESCO and UNHCR 2007). On the other hand, the psychological effect which is caused by the exposure to the mass trauma during wars leads to alcohol and drug abuse, especially among young people. This may influence their attitudes towards risky behaviors such as unsafe sexual practices that lead to sexual transmitted diseases such as AIDS (UNESCO and UNHCR 2007).

In the absence of an effective medical cure or vaccine, knowledge and awareness about HIV/AIDS are considered the most powerful weapons against the disease (Kelly 2009). The question posed here is: From where do vulnerable people in IDPs situation acquire knowledge about HIV/AIDS? To answer this question, this paper aims to identify the main channels from which young people in Dar el Salaam IDPs camp in Omdurman-Sudan acquire knowledge about HIV/AIDS.

The researcher will first highlight the methods which used to collect data in this study, then will explain how samples for this study were identified and selected. Discussion of the ethical issues that were considered will as well take place, followed by illustrating the qualitative research methods which followed in this study. Following that, will be discussed against studies done on similar issues, the researcher will provide some recommendations and conclusions for further studies.

Health is wealth, so says the adage and this is an undisputed fact for the reason that the well being of a people can holistically add to their development generally. Local communities with little infrastructure seem to be more susceptible to less of quality information that would have bettered their lot due to low economic and literacy rate. People in local communities as found through interactions with this author, are found to dwell on superstition upon which they attribute sickness and other forms of health hazards. The situation intently underscores the need for more awareness and health literacy information, which is the thrust of this paper. This paper unfolds activities which surround what initially started as an informal health discussion to an organised health project with focus on HIV/ AIDS and legal matters. Cognisance is taken of the fact that adhering to sensitive health information such as on HIV/AIDS is sometimes a tug-of-war in certain suburban areas. Such resistance could be attributed to fear, superstition, ignorance, mis-information and lack of information (Philip and Offoboche, 2013). More so, people do not just react emotionally or behaviourally to life events, but their thinking mediates how they respond to realities or a given situation (Cognitive Behavioural Theory- CBT). Following this argument raised in CBT, specific thoughts or beliefs may not be in one’s immediate consciousness in many instances, but with proper training and practice individuals can become aware of them. Oxford Encyclopedic Dictionary (Scott and Marshall eds., 2005) posits that behaviour can be learned through association or one conditioning of one kind of another. By implication, when people are intentionally informed or trained over a given cause, their cognitions will subsequently be targeted, modified, and changed. It is important therefore that vital health information has to be spread (Maden, Kongren & Limbu, 2010) particularly among areas with less of modern amenities.

Considering the fact that moves towards sustainable development goals align with health priorities particularly for African regions e.g. to tackle and end HIV/AIDS pandemic, there is every possibility that continuous awareness programmes will enhance health development goals (UN Africa Renewal, 2015). This assurance is furthermore based on the goal of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being (UN Sustainable Development Goals, 2015). As part of this global health agenda, Akwa Ibom State Agency for the Control of AIDS (2014), is saddled with the mission of reducing HIV/AIDS prevalence by promoting appropriate gender, cultural sensitive information …prevention, treatment, care and support services. In the light of this, it was germane to contribute to these pro-health values by propagating basic health information pertaining to HIV/AIDS, which was partly the reason behind the HIV/AIDS awareness programme spearheaded by this author (librarian) in a suburban area.

UNAIDS Community Support Department Update for Faith-Based Organizations responding to HIV- FBO Update

Anyone wishing to be included in the mailing list, or wanting to include an item for circulation should send an e-mail to Julienne Munyaneza jmunyaneza@gmail.com with a copy to Sally Smith smiths@unaids.org.

follow them on social media: Twitter: @SallyLynnSmith and Facebook: civil society dialogue space

Time Period: June 2017 to February 2018

HIV services provided in the country of Kenya and the percentage of those services provided by the faith-based sector.  This work was carried out as part of a Joint Initiative between the U.S President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).  Emory’s Interfaith Health Program is working alongside the University of Cape Town (Cape Town, South Africa) and St. Paul’s University (Limuru, Kenya) to form the Academic Consortium of this Joint Initiative.  Together with the Christian Health Association (CHAK), members of the Academic Consortium carried out a secondary analysis of existing HIV health services data. AMREF Health Africa provided ethical clearance for the study. The results of the analysis can be found at the link on the Emory Website

Church of Uganda Training Handbook

CHURCH OF UGANDA
A TRAINING HANDBOOK
FOR RELIGIOUS LEADERS AND CHURCH INSTITUTIONS
CHRISTIAN-BASED APPROACH TO:
Maternal and Child Health
Sexual Reproductive Health
HIV and AIDS
Gender
Gender Based Violence
Family Planning

This hand book offers a unique opportunity to equip religious leaders with update knowledge on sexual reproductive health, family planning, maternal child health, HIV/AIDS, Gender equality and Gender based violence with relevant scriptural references. Use of this hand book will help guide us religious leaders in development of short messages on reproductive health for integration in church sermons, marriage counseling sessions and other Christian gatherings where one has to communicate. This will enable us communicate a uniform message on reproductive health based on scientific facts while upholding our Christian values.

A Global Multi-Faith discussion on HIV responses

Compiled by Carolyne Akinyi Opinde
Edited by Prof. Ezra Chitando and Peter Nickles

Essays on a multi-faith approach to HIV response and prevention

Community-led Health and Wellbeing Project in partnership with the Diocese of Niassa in Mozambique since 2011.

This project is funded through the Australian Government’s Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP) as well as from donations from Anglicans in Australia.

The goal of this project is that communities will see fewer children and adults dying, more people knowing their HIV status, more people speaking openly about HIV, and fewer children malnourished. The project is typical of our strengths-based approach to sustainable development in that communities will see that they brought about these changes by applying basic health messages.

This report presents the findings of an evaluation of the first two years of our support to Phase 2 of the project (July 2014 to June 2016).

The Community-led Health and Wellbeing Project has achieved impressive results despite the challenges of working in some very remote and under developed areas of Northern Mozambique. The need for health services in Mozambique
remains high, with 14% of Mozambican children dying before they reach 5 years of age and 11% of Mozambicans between the ages of 15-19 living with HIV.

More than 2000 volunteer activists are being supported to bring about discernible change in the health and wellbeing of 64 communities across the province of Nampula and in one district of Cabo Delgado.

Raising Voices – Uganda

SASA! Faith is an initiative in which leaders, members and believers of a religion come together to prevent violence against women and HIV. It mobilizes faith communities and inspires everyone to live the faith based values of justice, peace and dignity in their intimate relationships.

Raising Voices in partnership with Trócaire developed SASA! Faith, an adaptation of SASA! An Activist Kit for Preventing Violence against Women and HIV, which is itself a proven methodology. To read more about SASA! and the study results, click here.

For more information please see the SASA! website or or any questions on SASA! Faith and the comprehensive user friendly SASA! Faith guide, please info@raisingvoices.org

Below is the guide for faith communities:

Moments that Matter:
Strengthening Families So Young Children Thrive

Episcopal Relief & Development and the Zambia Anglican Council launched an integrated Early Childhood Development (ECD) program in 2012 for families affected by HIV/AIDS.  Currently serving nearly 10,000 children under five and their parents or other primary caregivers, this program was started with a $350,000, two-year grant from The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation as part of their Children Affected by HIV and AIDS initiative.  Based on early signs of success, Episcopal Relief & Development was then awarded a three-year, $1 million grant from the Foundation, to strengthen the program and expand it to other rural areas of Zambia during 2014-2016.  The Hilton Foundation grants are matched 1:1 by Episcopal Relief & Development with other funds, as required by the Foundation.

– See more at Episcopal Relief’s website and the summary report of the program.

Using a triangulation design combining participant observation, survey results, and interviews, this paper studies the current form of the response to HIV in the local Anglican Church in the Western Cape, South Africa. The results show that people are generally aware of HIV. The “buzz” around HIV has, however, subsided. The local church does not directly engage HIV anymore, and HIV is more mentioned than talked about. HIV stigma continues to pose a challenge. To work towards the prevention of HIV, the local church needs to put HIV back on the agenda and continue to speak about the virus.

Online link to journal

Collaborating for Sustainable HIV Community Care

The Faith, Health Collaboration and Leadership Development Program (FHCLDP) is a multi-sector team-based model that builds partnerships among FBOs, HIV treatment programs, and civil society organizations. The collaboration supports sustainable, community-based HIV prevention and treatment services and to help people living with HIV remain in clinical treatment programs by offering coordinated community support services. St. Paul’s University (Limuru, Kenya) and Emory Interfaith Health Program piloted the in Nakuru County in 2014 with funding from the U.S. government’s President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

Religion has been used to justify HIV stigma and discrimination but it can also be an important source to challenge such stigma and discrimination.  The FHCLDP equips local leaders from faith-based, psychosocial, and clinical programs with knowledge and tangible, measurable activities to fight stigma and increase support services for those living with HIV.  With the success of the FHCLDP, IHP is working to collaborate with other colleagues in Kenya to expand the program to two other Kenyan counties next year. They are also working to lay the groundwork to replicate the program in other countries as well.

Religious leaders could help improve uptake of male circumcision in HIV-prevention effort

Education of religious leaders had a substantial effect on uptake of male circumcision, and should be considered as part of male circumcision programmes in other sub-Saharan African countries. This study was conducted in one region in Tanzania; however, we believe that our intervention is generalisable. We equipped church leaders with knowledge and tools, and ultimately each leader established the most culturally-appropriate way to promote male circumcision. Therefore, we think that the process of working through religious leaders can serve as an innovative model to promote healthy behaviour, leading to HIV prevention and other clinically relevant outcomes, in a variety of settings.

This is a 2016 autumn update on some of the engagement by faith-based organizations on HIV this year; many events are under the auspices of the PEPFAR/UNAIDS FBO Initiative. It gives you a summary of global activities that took place this spring and summer. Please do forward this update to your colleagues and other interested friends. Anyone wishing to be included in the mailing list, or wanting to include an item for circulation should send an e-mail to Sally Smith smiths@unaids.org with a copy to Julienne Munyaneza jmunyaneza@gmail.com Do follow us on social media: Twitter: @SallyLynnSmith and Facebook- civil society dialogue space

Early Diagnosis and Treatment for Children and Adolescents Living with HIV: Urgent Call by Religious and Faith-Inspired Organizations for Greater Commitment and Action

As professionals engaged in the response to the continuing and grave challenges posed by the HIV epidemic, at global, national, and local levels, we gathered from Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and North America, to share our knowledge, experience, and good practice models but also our grave concerns, with special attention to the wellbeing and future of children, vulnerable to, or already living with HIV. We were joined in these strategic reflections and discussions by other key stakeholders, including officials of multi-lateral organizations and national governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) facilitating provision of services (implementing agencies), and various innovative funding, research, development, and advocacy organizations committed to advance the shared vision to end new infections of HIV among children and keep their mothers healthy, and to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. “We need to bring our minds and our hearts together to face the future to take us to the end of AIDS.

On World AIDS Day, the World Council of Churches launched Leading by Example: Religious Leaders and HIV Testing, a interfaith campaign that encourages religious leaders to inspire getting tested for HIV and especially to lead by example and have themselves tested for HIV. The aim is to overcome the stigma of HIV testing by showing that having the test done is not a statement about morality, but a health practice that all should do.

Channels of Hope research findings presentation-

Building the evidence base on the role of local faith leaders to critical issues to enhance outcomes towards SDGs

*Presentation for Dec 2016 Mobilization of Local Faith Communities Hub meeting

Christo Greyling

The role of religion in shaping an effective global response to HIV and AIDS in a post-2015 framework was prominently featured at the AIDS 2016 conference in Durban, South Africa.

Faith based and religious organisations are crucial partners in reaching the 90-90-90 targets, as they are capable of scaling up and accelerating access to treatment at a local, national, regional and global level through their unique networks. Sally Smith, senior advisor on faith-based organisations at UNAIDS emphasises: ‘Science and treatment on its own are not enough. We need to address the social determinants that are driving the stigma and discrimination that are preventing people from getting tested and staying on treatment.’

Conference website

90-90-90 – An ambitious treatment target to help end the AIDS epidemic Report below

In May 2012, the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), in collaboration with St. Paul’s University (SPU) and Emory University’s Interfaith Health Program (IHP), hosted a consultation on the role of faith-based organizations (FBOs) in sustaining country and community leadership in the response to HIV/AIDS. Participants included faith leaders from Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. In April 2015, PEPFAR, SPU, and IHP once again convened FBO leaders in a consultation to review the recommendations made in the first meeting, further examine critical issues in addressing HIV/AIDS, share valuable insights from experiences in responding to HIV/AIDS, and to chart a path for future efforts.  This report includes descriptions of key issues raised in the Consultation; the scope of contributions of faith-based partners to HIV service delivery; the important role of FBOs in achieving the ambitious program goals developed by PEPFAR, UNAIDS, and other global partners; and the finalized set of key recommendations developed at the 2015 Consultation.

To read this and other IHP publications, click here: http://ihpemory.org/publications/ihp-reports/

This paper examines the myriad of public health, sociological, political, and theological issues that are at play when faith-based organizations (FBOs) provide HIV prevention, treatment, and support services to adolescents. The paper offers a case study of these issues as they play out among adolescents living in informal settlements across Nairobi.

To download the article, click here: http://www.academia.edu/26380628/Are_Faith-Based_Organizations_Assets_or_Hindrances_for_Adolescents_Living_with_HIV_They_Are_Both

The Early Childhood Development Program is a volunteer-implemented program that improves the holistic wellbeing of children and their families living in HIV/AIDS prevalent areas. Focus areas include child health, nutrition, and livelihoods strengthening activities for vulnerable families.

Dignity Freedom and Grace: Christian Perspectives on HIV, AIDS and Human Rights (Paterson and Long, 2016) published by the World Council of Churches http://www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/publications/dignity-freedom-and-grace

The Early Childhood Development Program is a volunteer-implemented program that improves the holistic wellbeing of children and their families living in HIV/AIDS prevalent areas. Focus areas include child health, nutrition, and livelihoods strengthening activities for vulnerable families.

Tags: Data Collection by Local Community, Holistic Wellbeing, Comparing Data Across Regions

In 2005, World Vision International designed a longitudinal operations research (OR) project to assess the effectiveness and impact of the three core HIV models (Channels of Hope, Community Care Coalition and Values-based HIV life-skills for children). This OR was implemented in two World Vision area development programmes (ADPs) in Uganda and Zambia. Each ADP had two study sites: intervention and comparison. This paper presents a summary of key findings focused on the CoH model.

The Framework for Dialogue is a tool for developing joint actions and ongoing discussions between religious leaders, faith-based organizations and networks of people living with HIV at national level.

Evidence that quantifies and illustrates the experiences of people living with HIV in a specific country is the starting point of all dialogue and future joint actions. A central piece of evidence used is the People Living with HIV Stigma Index, which measures and detects changing trends in relation to stigma and discrimination experienced by people living with HIV.

The Framework for Dialogue process in each country is overseen by a small working group of partners at the national level that implements six key steps to ensure proper planning, follow-up and sustained, ongoing dialogue.

Link: http://www.frameworkfordialogue.net

In early September, religious leaders and champions from 18 Eastern and Southern African countries gathered to discuss the fast track agenda for accelerated implementation of he response to the AIDS epidemic. A Call-to-Action was issued at the conference, which religious leaders and faith-based organizations are invited to sign online here:  http://www.cabsa.org.za/content/call-action-religious-leaders-and-champions-support-fast-track-agenda-towards-ending-aids-ep

The full text of the Call-to-Action is below.

We, the religious leaders and champions from 18 Eastern and Southern Africa countries gathered at the Kundunchi Beach Hotel in Dar-es-Salam, Tanzania on the 2^nd to the 4^thof September 2015.  We met to deliberate on the fast track agenda for accelerated implementation of the response to the AIDS epidemic.  We acknowledge that:

• We are endowed with social capital in our communities;
• We have a responsibility to uphold human dignity and protect life;
• People look to us for love, compassion  acceptance and holistic support;

We acknowledge that important strides have been made to address the HIV epidemic; there has been a significant reduction of new HIV infections in most countries; substantial increase in the numbers of people who know their HIV status; an increase in access to HIV treatment and in domestic financing for the HIV response.   However, we are concerned that the region continues to bear a high HIV burden particularly among young girls and women. Key populations have not been fully integrated within our faith sector response. Sexual and gender based violence continue to affect families. Inequality persists in access to treatment especially for children.  And too many people living with HIV continue to experience stigma and discrimination.

We fully support the fast track targets and commit to advocate for robust action and sustained funding for the HIV response and actively participate in implementing targeted and effective programmes.  We will partner with our governments to implement the fast track agenda.  We will hold ourselves, our governments and development partners accountable to invest in expanded access to HIV testing and ART for all in need.  We will mobilize our religious communities to take up voluntary HIV testing and help people stay on treatment.  We will support through our health networks national efforts to scale up of HIV prevention and treatment services including SRHR services.  We further commit to implement proven intervention in support to those who are HIV negative, comprehensive sexuality education and SRH services.

We affirm that all human beings are equal before God and should be treated with dignity and respect regardless of age, gender and sexual orientation.  We commit to engage all stakeholders at local, national, regional and global levels to address stigma and discrimination and scale up programs, resources and strategies to attain the fast track targets. We will take action to address misinterpretation of religion, culture and sacred texts that hinder the HIV response

We call upon all faith based organisations, religious and traditional leaders, civil society organisations, United Nation System, all government agencies and regional economic entities to implement the fast track agenda on HIV and AIDS in order to attain 90-90-90 targets by 2020. We believe that these are the necessary steps needed to create a transformative society, achieve zero new HIV infections and zero stigma and are essential for sustainability.

Presentation for the UNAIDS and FBO Webinar on the Lancet Special Edition on Faith and Health Care, December 14, 2015.

Full Webinar and presentations here: https://jliflc.com/sessions/unaids-webinar-on-the-lancet-special-edition-on-faith-and-health-care/

Building more effective partnerships between the public sector and faith groups

A National Religious Association for Social Development (NRASD) perspective, a South African case study.

Author: Dr Renier A. Koegelenberg

• Founding member and Executive Secretary of the NRASD
• Condenses the key issues and challenges of forming effective partnerships between faith or religious networks, and the public (government) sector, as well as partnering with international and multinational development agencies.
• This is a case study of NRASD’s experience in South Africa: our cooperation with different faith communities in South Africa, the South African government, church-based agencies and the Global Fund to fight HIV and AIDS, Malaria and TB. Thus, our experience may not be applicable in other countries or regions.

CCIH webpage on HIV

Includes resources on HIV and faith

Cover page and table of contents may be viewed at Emory University’s page on Religion and Public Health Collaboration here.

Book may be purchased at Oxford University Press’ website here

Description from Oxford University Press:

Frequently in partnership, but sometimes at odds, religious institutions and public health institutions work to improve the well-being of their communities. There is increasing awareness among public health professionals and the general public that the social conditions of poverty, lack of education, income inequality, poor working conditions, and experiences of discrimination play a dominant role in determining health status. But this broad view of the social determinants of health has largely ignored the role of religious practices and institutions in shaping the life conditions of billions around the globe. 

In Religion as a Social Determinant of Public Health, leading scholars in the social sciences, public health, and religion address this omission by examining the embodied sacred practices of the world’s religions, the history of alignment and tension between religious and public health institutions, the research on the health impact of religious practice throughout the life course, and the role of religious institutions in health and development efforts around the globe. In addition, the volume explores religion’s role in the ongoing epidemics of HIV/AIDS and Alzheimer’s disease, as well as preparations for an influenza pandemic. Together, these groundbreaking essays help complete the picture of the social determinants of health by including religion, which has until now been an invisible determinant.

More than 100 representatives of diverse Christian faith traditions, UNAIDS, WHO Stop-TB and HIV/AIDS Departments, UNITAID, the Global Fund, Vatican offices, governments, the medical and scientific community, and the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See gathered in Rome, on 25-26 February 2014. Their aim was to identify opportunities and challenges in expanding access to HIV treatment globally and strengthening the role of faith-based organisations (FBOs) in the provision of such services.

The overall purpose of this study was to provide a description of the contribution of faith based organisations (FBOs), institutions, and networks to the health of vulnerable populations in resource-poor areas of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA); and to identify key areas for investment that would accelerate, scale up and sustain access to effective services, and/or encourage policy and resource advocacy among and in African countries.

The World Health Report 2004 – Changing History, published by the World Health Organization, calls for a comprehensive HIV/AIDS strategy that links prevention, treatment, care and long-term support. Until now, treatment has been the most neglected element in most developing countries: almost 6 million people in these countries will die in the near future if they do not receive treatment – but only about 400 000 of them were receiving it in 2003.

This “Best Practice” Report attempts to tell the story of the leadership exercised by the Catholic bishops of India, particularly through their national episcopal conference, and of the heroic and dedicated HIV-related service and teaching provided by Catholic Church-based organisations throughout the country.

The article attempts to demonstrate the key contribution by people of faith to the global HIV pandemic response. Special attention is paid to the work of the Catholic Church in this field in view of its vast infrastructure of education, health care, development and social service activities and of its exemplary efforts to coordinate an effective HIV response from global to grass roots levels. Independent evaluations and statistical data regarding the level and quality of faith-based engagement in this field are presented in order to demonstrate the basic premise of the article – i.e., that faith-based organisations
are lending exceptional energy, expertise, and experience in order to achieve the commitment of the international commitment to advance universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support.

This report reviews the work of faith-inspired leaders, communities, and organizations in worldwide efforts to reduce maternal mortality. Maternal mortality rates represent one of the most extreme cases of inequality in public health worldwide, but decades of global action have failed to remedy the gap between wealthy and poorer countries when it comes to maternal health. However, recent evidence that global maternal mortality is decreasing significantly, if gradually, has helped strengthen momentum and refocus attention on the issue.

This report reviews the work of faith-inspired leaders, communities, and organizations in worldwide efforts to reduce maternal mortality. Maternal mortality rates represent one of the most extreme cases of inequality in public health worldwide, but decades of global action have failed to remedy the gap between wealthy and poorer countries when it comes to maternal health. However, recent evidence that global maternal mortality is decreasing significantly, if gradually, has helped strengthen momentum and refocus attention on the issue.

Religious communities are critical players in the world of global development, but we know relatively little about their activities. The Luce/SFS Project on Religion and Global Development is devoted to closing that knowledge gap. It explores the role of religious groups and ideas in donor and developing countries and points to areas for greater religious-secular cooperation in the development field. The project supports faculty and student research and publications, development related courses, and an on-line databases that captures the activities of religious actors engaged in development activities worldwide.

Channels of Hope training approach described in French by Malian Imam.

Channels of Hope equip faith leaders to reduce HIV-related stigma in their communities and promote compassionate care for people and families affected by HIV. This video presents the experience of two Christian leaders from vastly different context – an Ugandan pastor and an Armenian Orthodox priest.

World Vision’s HIV and AIDS response strategy focuses on building the capacity of communities to prevent the spread of HIV and on providing care and advocacy for people living with HIV and for orphans and vulnerable children (OVC). The Channels of Hope (CoH) methodology, one of World Vision’s three core HIV and AIDS response models, is used to mobilise the infrastructure, organisational capacity, pool of current and potential volunteers, and unmatched moral authority of local churches and faith communities towards positive action on HIV and AIDS. Once they have been mobilised, World Vision works with churches and faith-based organisations to co-ordinate and equip sustainable, community-based HIV and AIDS programmes with an emphasis on reaching OVCs in need of care and support.

There is an urgent need to improve access for HIV-positive pregnant women to services that can dramatically reduce the transmission of HIV to their babies. Globally, approximately 45 per cent of women in resource-poor settings have access to prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) services.1 There is growing recognition of the need to create greater awareness amongst HIV-positive women and others about the value of PMTCT in order to create demand for services at the community level and to support adherence and follow-up after delivery. In recent years, community-based mother support groups have played a key role in creating this awareness and building confidence among HIV-positive women to have access to these services. Mother support groups provide safe environments in which women can learn how to help themselves in making difficult decisions.

Many have observed that children are neglected in the HIV response. Within this there are sub groups of the most neglected who are very difficult to reach and may be overlooked, resulting in even greater levels of suffering. In a scenario of great need, and donor focus on results based payments, there may be a tendency to reach for the “low hanging fruit”. This research explores the challenges of reaching those most marginalised and hardest to reach children.

Every year, millions of people around the world are affected by humanitarian crises, both natural and man-made. A significant proportion of people living with HIV (PLHIV) are also affected by conflict, disasters or displacement. HIV can spread quickly in conditions of poverty, powerlessness and social instability, conditions that are often at their most extreme during emergencies.

World Vision HIV & AIDS Fact Sheet

In the communities where WV works, many serious issues often limit improved child well-being (CWB). These might include violence against children, poor birth spacing, gender inequality, early marriage, wife inheritance, malnutrition, early marriage, gender-based violence, HIV infections, TB and malaria, trafficking, and more.

This report summarizes the USAID | Health Policy Initiative, Task Order 1 project titled The Role of Religious Communities in Addressing Gender-based Violence and HIV, which was designed and implemented by Futures Group International and Religions for Peace. Recognizing the importance of collaborating to prevent and reduce gender-based violence (GBV) and HIV among women and girls, the Initiative partners formulated the project to improve the capacity of religious leaders and faith-based organizations (FBOs) to respond to GBV and its links to HIV.

The following case study takes in a small sampling of activities conducted by the Adventist Church
under the Papua New Guinea Church Partnership Program between 2010 and 2012. This study focuses on family life, education, and HIV/AIDS.

There are many lessons that can be drawn from the movements of people with HIV, where they became key advocates in shaping the global response. The aim of this report therefore is to assess the depth and breadth of survivors needs in order to determine the legitimacy and potential
benefits of a survivor movement.

This report is a compiled from two pieces of research commissioned by
Tearfund’s HIV & Sexual Violence Unit. The full reports and researchers are:
– Sexual violence in South Africa and the role of the church by Elisabet
le Roux at the Unit for Religion and Development Research at
Stellenbosch University
– Breaking the Silence (full report) by Robyn Curran, Bongi Zengele and
Solange Mukamana.

Global disparities in maternal and newborn health represent one of the starkest health inequities
of our times. Faith-based organizations (FBOs) have historically played an important role in providing
maternal/newborn health services in African countries. However, the contribution of FBOs in service delivery
is insufficiently recognized and mapped.

This third volume in the series focuses on ways to ‘map’ (in the different uses of that terminology) faith-inspired providers, and on assessment of their cost for patients and the extent to which they succeed in reaching the poor.

Description of the Featured Member, World Vision, and their program, Channels of Hope.

A review of the results of a consultation regarding how faith leaders and groups can and are contributing to the development of Latin America.

This document examines whether and how FBOs’ approaches to development work are unique to NGOs engaged in similar activities in the same contexts.

A report summarizing the discussion of a meeting focusing on FBOs’ capacity, and partnerships. Coalition of German Institute for Medical Mission, World Council of Churches, Caritas Internationalis, Ecumenical Adovcacy Alliance and Norwegian Church Aid.

An evaluation report of the partnership between the United Kingdom Department of International Development and the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development.

This UNAIDS document describes the principle and rationale behind the Greater Involvement of People Living with HIV (GIPA) in national policies and programmes. It also discusses the challenges to implementing GIPA initiatives and describes a variety of effective ways to address these challenges.

This background paper presents regional strategies to strengthen the role of faith-based organizations in responding to HIV & AIDS. It brings attention to four key areas: access to essential services, building a supportive environment, strengthening the capacities of families and mobilizing and supporting community-based responses in addressing the needs of children affected by HIV and other vulnerable children in the EastAsia and Pacific region.

This background paper incorporates initial research carried out on the issue of faith, HIV and the
criminalisation of homosexuality.

This paper reflects on CAFOD’s thematic review and recommendation for HIV-related care and on the indications of how they will contribute to our HIV-related care and response work in the future.

This document presents a thematic review of CAFOD’s HIV-related care and mitigation work.

The Faithful House PMTCT Supplement builds upon the information presented in The Faithful House program. Information for facilitators and counselors supporting pregnant women who are HIV positive is included in this supplement.

The goal of this document is to provide faith leaders who frequently work with HIV/AIDS patients tips for pastoral care.

A summary of the HIV AIDS and Maternal Health JLI F&LC report.

The Final Report from the Joint Learning Initiative on Children and AIDS, founded by Dr Geoff Foster, which serves as a model for JLIF&LC Learning Hub approach to evidence gathering and communication.

This Report, a product of the JLI F&Lc Learning Hub on HIV AIDS and Maternal Health reviews the available data on the nexus between faith, maternal health and HIV AIDS development work, against the framework of specific questions. The report summarizes the evidence, discusses opportunities and challenges, makes recommendations for practice and for further research.

A review of DREAM, Drug Resources Enhancement Against AIDS and Malnutrition, created by the Community of Sant’Egidio to fight AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa. This project uses Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy (HAART), alongside treating malnutrition, TB, malaria, and STIs, as well as health education, to promote a holistic approach to healthy living.

A summary of a mapping project done to understand the impact of the Catholic Church in combatting HIV/AIDS.

This review documents Buddhist, Christian, Muslim, and inter-faith initiatives in Cambodia and their varying response to HIV. This review highlights their contributions to HIV/AIDS and the important role they play in development of families, women, and children.

A review of HIV and AIDS care-givers from sub-Saharan Africa. This report highlights their importance, and states htat 90% of HIV care is done at home by family or community members.

This literature review by ARHAP focuses on the intersection of religion and health in sub-Saharan Africa, mostly focusing on HIV/AIDS spanning a 10 year period. This review provides insight into how these systems interact and poses questions for further research.

A review of Tearfund partners in Chad and Malawi exploring how local, faith-based responses to HIV strengthen health systems. Research focuses on Christian organizations and national and local-level stakeholders.

A review of research from Malawi, DRC, and South Africa regarding practices and opinions of sexual health and couple decision making.

An overview of Catholic responses to HIV including challenges and successes

This report is part of an expanded partnership between the WHO and FBOs in facing health challenges, specifically HIV/AIDS.

The plan focuses on policy and programmatic actions countries will take to make sure HIV+ pregnant and breastfeeding women have access to preventative services by 2015.

“The primary goals of the research were to strengthen collaboration, increase mutual respect and understanding between religious entities, governments and donors in three countries, and to ensure significant long-term contributions will be made to national AIDS plans through effective multisectoral collaboration. Research and consultation was carried out from 2007 to 2009.”

A review of efforts of faith based providers working to improve maternal health.

This study examines the ecumenical Pharmaceutical Network (EPN), in partnership with the WHO, conducted a multi-country analysis on faith-based drug supply organizations and their contribution to medicine supply in 11 sub-Saharan African countries.

Lessons learned from the DRC, South Sudan and Kenya from faith-based communities in crisis situations. Non-faith humanitarian organizations need FBOs to develop emergency capacity for HIV. “Collaboration between faith-based communities and humanitarian actors when responding to HIV in emergencies”