Advocacy is the act of providing, spreading or defending a cause in a systematic, coordinated, and with direct participation of those affected. Its purpose is to generate change in politics, norms, attitudes, and social practices affecting a community or minority population.
Advocacy
In the case of people living with HIV and AIDS; advocacy is a tool for social and political change, to improve the quality of life for those infected and affected by the epidemic.
AID FOR AIDS International (AFAI) has incorporated this tool as part of its mission “…saving lives one by one…” in its program development, with the understanding that no assistance or support program is sustainable if social or structural change is not generated.
Through the years we have developed alliances with different organizations on a local level, with the help of our satellite office locations; Chile, Dominican Republic, Panama, Peru and Venezuela, and on an international level as well.
The objective of the Advocacy Department is to identify, build and support the capacities of people living with HIV and AIDS in order for them to develop and defend their needs in response to the HIV and AIDS epidemic.
Our key areas of work stem from a political dialogue that generates public consciousness and helps to strengthen organizations and agencies of people living with HIV and AIDS in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Since 2005 the Advocacy Department’s activities have been focused in strengthening and supporting the activist work of helping people living with HIV and AIDS; and in addition the understanding of public consciousness towards stigma and discrimination. Our support of organizations on a local and regional level has been demonstrated through our promotion and support of networking and development of capacities for promotion and public defense.
Our key areas of work include:
Civil Vigilance:
We support that accounts and use of international resources such as those handled by the Global Fund in the Fight against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria www.theglobalfund.org and www.theglobalfund.org be open to the public. Throughout the year we have been implementing a program, “Observatorio Latino” created to maintain civil vigilance for citizens and as a tool for communication and information, especially in regards to Latin America and the Caribbean (for more information please visit www.observatoriolatino.org) This initiative has positioned itself as a speaker/negotiator in the presence of the Global Fund Board participating as an observer in the Board meetings.
From this year on AFAI Observatorio Latino will occupy the Regional Point of Communication for the Community Delegations of the Global Fund.
Training:
In collaboration with regional networks such as REDLA+ and ICW Latina, MLCM+ and local HIV and AIDS networks we are developing educational programs for leading activists. Planned for 2008 is the opening of the “Leadership Institute” developed through regional training meetings.
Access to Treatment:
Maintain and defend the rights to the treatment made accessible by governments through the use of campaigns, development, and circulation of our participation in social networks.
Lobbying:
Actions geared towards the creation of consciousness on behalf of the “decision makers”, support, and defense of people living with HIV and AIDS, promoting change of legislature and access to all information regarding HIV and AIDS, training politicians on the topic of the necessities of people living with HIV and AIDS incorporating legal defense and sustaining the absence of discrimination.
Follow up on the governmental commitments regarding Sexual and Reproductive Rights of Women in terms of HIV and AIDS in Latin America. In 2008 we will work through the “Observatorio Mujer y VIH/SIDA” to oversea and follow up on the regional and national governmental commitments regarding the sexual and reproductive rights of women in regard to HIV and AIDS and defend the compliance of these commitments on different levels.
How can you help support advocacy at AID FOR AIDS International?
Spreading and sharing on the Observatorio Latino web site experiences that demonstrate a resistance towards the betterment of the quality of life of those living with HIV and AIDS in their localities.
Sponsor the training of people living with HIV and AIDS in Latin American and Caribbean countries.
Being informed on AFAI activism and spreading it throughout your community to help mobilize assistance.
Reaching out to our local offices and becoming a volunteer.
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© 2008 - Aid for AIDS International