Transcript What we have learned - Mobilizing Social Capital in A World with

What we have learned
Questions for discussion
Summary of what I learned
Constance Ambasa-Shisanya, CLOUT
[email protected]
Questions for discussion
1. Did our papers effectively engage social capital in a
world with AIDS? Which conceptualization of social
capital should guide the discourse of AIDS 2031?
2. How should states establish meaningful political,
economic & social relationships with
citizens/donors/NGOs for better management of HIV &
AIDS? What % of national budgets should be spend on
HIV & AIDS to foster sustainability?
3. How should we strengthen the M&E component with a
view to measuring health outcomes of AIDS programs?
Questions for discussion
5. What effect will integration/mainstreaming of
HIV & AIDS activities have on groups to the left?
6. How should the challenges of inter-generational
sex & concurrent partners be addressed?
7. Should an Afrocentric approach to HIV & AIDS
be the norm in SSA? i.e couple/group testing,
PMTCT & drug adherence support groups
What was learned
• Social capital is an essentially contested
phenomenon. It is better understood from
three perspectives: bonding, bringing and
linking social capital
• Material & technical inputs cannot
translate into positive health outcomes.
Instead, focus must be put on the quality &
quantity of human relationships.
What was learned
• In the African context, collective centered
approach to relationships is important.
Such a model could lead to effective
uptake of HIV prevention measures e.g
PMTCT, VCT
• A gap exists in literature with regard to the
link between social capital and HIV
interventions
What was learned
• Public health institutions should be
reclaimed by changing policy & allocation
of funds
• Religious organizations support PLWHAs
but also exclude them by linking infection
to sin
• Culture either enhances or hinders
adoption of HIV prevention measures
What was learned
• Empowerment of women through access
to land and female condoms could protect
them from HIV infection
• Culture of AIDS response is problematic; it
rewards PLWHAs at the expense of those
who have attempted to avoid infections
• Need to focus on prevention than
treatment & care
What was learned
• Governments should develop long-term
plans to engage the epidemic rather than
continue relying on donor support
• Measurement of HIV stigma and the work
of NGOs is crucial
• Funding distorts management of the
epidemic in many settings
• Need arises to focus interventions on the
whole population rather than on PLWHAs
What was learned
• Must be cognizant to cultural & structural
constraints that hinder men to apply safer
drug injecting practices & safer sexual
behavior
• Effective leadership is essential in
determining the success of programs such
as the response of civil societies to
HIV/AIDS
• Donors- support TASO
What was learned
• NGOs reduce HIV prevalence rates & roll
out ARVs in SSA
• Community based cash transfer could be
a viable strategy in strengthening
resilience of orphans & vulnerable children
• Micro-enterprises empower FSWs by
giving them alternative livelihood when
they wish to exit sex work