Engaging faith-based organisations in HIV prevention: a training manual for programme managers

This manual is a capacity-building tool to help policy makers and programmers identify, design
and follow up on HIV prevention programmes undertaken by faith-based organisations (FBOs). It is also relevant for development practitioners partnering with FBOs to increase their understanding of
the role of FBOs in HIV prevention, and to design plans for partnering with FBOs to halt the spread of the virus.

The manual explores how religious values and the power of religious leaders to mobilise communities can be used to design effective and sustainable community programmes to address HIV. It explains how to involve religious leaders in programmes to eliminate the stigma and discrimination often directed to people living with HIV and how to encourage community support and solidarity using the compassionate spirit of religion. It also outlines the key HIV prevention messages that religious leaders can promote and the skills they need to deliver them effectively.