Taking the initiative: HIV/AIDS in the workplace in Ethiopia, Africa

Breaking Silence on HIV/AIDS in the workplace in Ethiopia

This report gives an overview of an Ethiopia pilot project for mainstreaming and breaking the silence of HIV/AIDS in the workplace within NGOs. The paper defines internal mainstreaming as having to do with the adjustment of policy and practice in recognition of an NGO’s susceptibility to the impact of HIV/AIDS and to reduce its vulnerability. Internal mainstreaming not only covers such activities as HIV prevention and treatment for staff, volunteers, and possibly dependents, but also on modifying the way the organisation operates.

The report states that mainstreaming HIV/AIDS in NGO’s can be difficult and uncomfortable. Some methods utilised in the Ethiopia pilot project in facilitating open discussion include:

encouragement from management
using the ‘talking stick’
traditional coffee ceremonies
providing extra personnel to enable all staff to participate in discussions
having interpreters present

The report also gives an overview, and attaches an annex, of how organisations could utilise the ’12 Boxes HIV/AIDS model’ to perform organisational ‘self-assessments. These self-assessments are beneficial in evaluating the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic on the organisation, as well as assessing the organisation’s strengths and weakness in dealing with it. [adapted from authors]

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Taking the initiative: HIV/AIDS in the workplace in Ethiopia, Africa