HIV / AIDS and Livelihoods

What do we mean by 'mainstreaming HIV/AIDS in development programmes'? This video introduces some of the realities and complexities of this work. In 2000, the Joint Oxfam Programme in Malawi took a strategic decision to increase its understanding of HIV/AIDS and of the impact of the pandemic at a programme and policy level. As a result, the Shire Highlands Sustainable Livelihoods Programme set out to modify its work to ensure that the most vulnerable in communities are not left out of development processes. By capturing some of the interventions devised in this programme in Malawi, this video: - highlights the need to place HIV/AIDS and its effects at the centre of the development programme in order to minimise the impact of HIV/AIDS on people at the community level - shares real experiences of mainstreaming through interviews with Oxfam staff, Village Development Committees, and beneficiaries, and shows the spin-offs of increased community mobilisation - raises key issues for planners and policy makers. The video concludes with four questions to provide a focus for viewing and a stimulus to discussion on mainstreaming HIV/AIDS into development programmes. There is a booklet of notes for trainers or presenters, including transcripts of key sections of the video. A transcript of the full script is also available to download. HIV/AIDS and Livelihoods: Experiences in Mainstreaming from Malawi is designed for those working in the field of development, especially agriculture. It is particularly useful for international and national NGOs and government departments who are looking for ways to mainstream HIV/AIDS within the context of their programmes.