EMPOWERING & SUSTAINING LIVELIHOODS OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV (PLWH) IN ARAB COUNTRIES THE ‘karama’ INITIATIVE (DigNITY) By Dr. Nathalie Milbach Bouché.

EMPOWERING & SUSTAINING LIVELIHOODS OF PEOPLE

LIVING WITH HIV (PLWH)IN ARAB COUNTRIES

THE ‘karama’ INITIATIVE(DigNITY)

By Dr. Nathalie Milbach Bouché

Poverty Practice Leader, UNDP Regional Center Cairo

Solution Forum – Building Resilience in an Age of Uncertainty

The ‘KARAMA’ Initiative: Regional Context

UNAIDS 2013 Regional Report for the Middle East and North Africa:http://www.unaidsmena.org/index_htm_files/UNAIDS_MENA_layout_30_nov.pdf

Low Prevalence BUT INCREASED VULNERABILITY TO HIV-AIDs

134% increase in the number of PLWH from 2011 - region is second highest in terms of new cases

Vulnerable populations (mobile people, women, youth) face increased economic, social and structural vulnerability to HIV

Gender inequality and increased feminization of the epidemic - 44% of the PLWH are women

Persisting challenges facing PLWHPoor access to treatment and high-quality services (Persistent low treatment coverage: 18%)

High levels of HIV-related stigma, discrimination contributing to economic and social marginalization

The ‘KARAMA’ initiative: Main Thrusts

PARTNERING with national community-based CSOs to:

Provide PLWH and affected families an opportunity to lead a life with hope, economic security and dignity through income generating and other economic empowerment support;

Reduce stigma and discrimination through socio-economic interactions and changes in self-perceptions and public perception about the contribution of PLWH to the society;

Increase public awareness – Foster acceptance

The ‘KARAMA’ initiative: Dynamics and Outreach2010: Challenging attitudes and perceptions … Leadership Development for Women Living with HIV (350 WLWH trained in Egypt, Tunisia, Yemen, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Djibouti)

2011 Onwards: Empowering PLWH economically and socially through Micro-loans (200USD to 4000USD), vocational training, marketing campaigns and life-skills training

PILOT PHASE (2011):

6 CSOs supporting 100 IGA projects (Egypt, Yemen, Djibouti, and Tunisia)

NOWOver 1300

beneficiaries in 7 countries

17 CSOs supporting close to 300 IGA projects for 184 WLWH and 113

MLWH

THE ‘KARAMA’ initiative: Dynamics and OutreachSolution Development and Scaling - Up

November 2013 – Regional consultation on Economic Empowerment for PLWH – 60 participants from 9 countries, including CSOs, PLWH, & Management Skill Training for partner CSOs

July 2012 - Multi-country Training Workshop for partner CSOs (organized by UNDP, UNWOMEN, ILO)

Through Regional Knowledge Sharing, Networking and Skill Development for

Solution Practitioners..

THE ‘KARAMA’ initiative: Key Pathways to Success No one ‘fits all model’ - Solution ‘profile and maturity’ depend on country context (e.g in

Algeria, initiative aligned with National Strategic Plan of Fight Against HIV/Aids, which underscores microcredit for PLWH)

National-Local Ownership: Importance of strong local actors/CSOs with deep knowledge of community, people needs, challenges and opportunities : In Egypt, WHIA (Women Health Improvement Association) was able to explore the integration of PLWH into its services nation-wide.

PLWH Participation and Leadership – Trust-building (CSOs/PLWH) – Some partner CSOs in Yemen and Djibouti are run by PLWH

Integrated approaches: combining micro-lending/IGAs with vocational /business/project management training, psycho-sociological support, access to treatment-health and other services (e.g in Algeria and Lebanon)

Networking and broad based Partnerships (CSOs, Government (national/local), Private Sector, and other Development Partners): in Algeria, El Hayet partners with the Ministries of Health, of Solidarity, of Vocational Training and the national Agency of Microcredit)

Resilience

Self-Confidence

How is ‘Karama’ changing people’s lives?

Get to know more…•Djibouti, Online at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aI7ehvbCtE&list=PL6CBC9A4FA1E49EC4•Tunisia , Online at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5pPeHOSxGo&list=PL6CBC9A4FA1E49EC4&index=31•Egypt , Online at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74c3hO4Wuog&list=PL6CBC9A4FA1E49EC4•Algeria , online at: http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=plpp&v=GxDAtm_-Luk&p=PL6CBC9A4FA1E49EC4

Thank You

MERCI