INTEGRATING HIV/AIDS AND GENDER INTO THE PERFORMING ARTS WORLD

Southern Africa HIV/AIDS Information Dissemination Services (SAfAIDS) is committed to HIV and AIDS related capacity development, research and increasing action and advocacy, within a gender and human rights based approach and from an ethical and effective perspective in the southern African region.

As part of our Policy and Legal Reform Program, aimed at protecting the status of women and girls in the midst of HIV and AIDS in southern Africa, SAfAIDS shall offer comprehensive and empowering regional Training of Trainers (ToT) workshops to performing arts groups/organisations in the region. This resolution was taken after identifying that current conventional approaches to developing gender transformative behaviours in the fight against HIV and AIDS remain largely ineffective. Experience and scientific data reveals that the use of the performing arts and 'edutainment' in empowering communities with coping skills and relevant knowledge is effective in mobilizing communities towards ensuring the protection of women and girls.

Our first ToT workshop has been scheduled for 7 - 12 February 2005. Performing arts groups/organisations, with interest in HIV/AIDS and Gender Issues, in southern Africa are invited to submit a statement of interest in participating in this ToT, and develop a collaborative relationship with SAfAIDS in its future HIV/AIDS related performing arts initiatives. Limited sponsorship is available to support a few groups/organisations to attend the ToT. Groups/organisations able to self-fund or co-fund their attendance shall be given preference during our selection process. Each selected group/organisation shall:

* Participate in a 6 day elaborate workshop, facilitated by an international performing arts expert and co-facilitators with gender, legal aid and HIV/AIDS expertise and experience in the region.

* Receive a copy of a Manual developed by SAfAIDS, entitled "Integrating HIV/AIDS and Gender into the Performing Arts in Southern Africa"

* Be linked with relevant gender, human rights, legal aid and HIV/AIDS related networks, groups and organisations

* Be empowered to developed performing arts related programmes that can secure financial support in the areas of HIV/AIDS and Gender in the region

* Become a collaborative partner with SAfAIDS and its intermediary partner organisations in their efforts to promote HIV/AIDS and Gender topical issues through use of the performing arts in the region.

SAfAIDS invites you to complete the short statement of interest below and return to:

Email: [email protected] [2] or [email protected] [3]
Fax to: +263 4 336195 by December 18 2004.

Groups and organisations with members who are predominantly women and girls are ESPECIALLY encouraged to complete and submit this statement of interest.

All Performing Arts Groups/Organisations selected will be required to complete a brief summary report of activities undertaken.

Rouzeh Eghtessadi
SAfAIDS
Harare
Email: [email protected] [2]