Nearly everyone is aware of the AIDS epidemic, but even in the developed world living with the disease is a tremendous struggle. For those who live in Africa, AIDS is very often a death sentence.
And Amhara has the highest population of people affected wth HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia.
HIV and AIDS is such a strong taboo in the culture that it’s not discussed. This leads to a lack of knowledge about the disease, which only serves to increase its spread.
Since 2005, ORDA has partnered with organizations over the world to fight the ignorance around the epidemic. Our programs focus on getting the people of Amhara the knowledge they need to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS—focusing especially on education and protection for women and children.
Our partners in the fight against HIV/AIDS include:
- CHF
- CRDA: Christian Relief Development Association
- HAPCO: HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Office
(of Amhara Region) - GAA: German Agro-Action
- Oxfam Novib
ORDA has four major goals for HIV/AIDS prevention.
Goal 1: Make HIV/AIDS education available to all the people of Amhara
ORDA trains volunteers in behavioral change and communication about the HIV/AIDS epidemic. These volunteers then train their families and neighbors about disease awareness and prevention. We also provide informational and educational materials, and distribute condoms in partnership with government and community-based organizations and businesses.
We’ve seen some very positive results.
High-risk practices, such as multiple partners, unprotected sex and excessive alcohol intake, have decreased. The rate of premarital sex has fallen. Loyalty between spouses has increased.
Best of all, the people we’re helping are taking an active role in their own education. People living with HIV/AIDS have formed discussion groups to address issues and provide support. They also travel, giving testimonials to rural and urban communities about HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention.
Goal 2: Create easily accessible blood testing centers for the people of Amhara.
In collaboration with district health offices, ORDA has constructed voluntary counseling and testing centers (VCT Centers) in three districts, which are now in full operation. An increased number of people are taking blood tests—voluntarily.
New laws have sprung up around the VCT Centers. Community by-laws have been established in the communities requiring all couples to get a blood screening before they get married.
Goal 3: Strengthen support for people living with HIV/AIDS and orphans
Besides making HIV/AIDS education and prevention measures available, ORDA works to provide assistance for people living with the disease. Volunteer caregivers are trained on care and support services and equipped with first-aid “care and support” kits. These volunteers include people living with HIV/AIDS, youth and women’s association members and others from the community at large.
Different partners identify orphans from HIV/AIDS. These children are provided educational materials as well as uniforms so they can attend school.
The result? Living conditions for people with HIV/AIDS have improved. And stigma and discrimination towards the disease has decreased.
Also, ORDA is leading the way for other employers by establishing an employees’ Anti-AIDS Association called Employees for Employees. The main objective is to provide financial support to employees living with HIV/AIDS and their families from the association fund, which is generated from employees’ membership fees.
Goal 4: Reduce gender-based violence and increase knowledge of legal human rights
The impact of HIV/AIDS is particularly high on women in Africa because they have less control than men over their bodies and their lives. Because of this, women are three times more likely to be HIV-positive than men.
ORDA works in partnership with the Women’s Lawyer Association to educate volunteers about gender-based violence and legal human rights. These volunteers are given educational materials on women’s legal and human rights to distribute to their communities.
Through our educational efforts, we’ve seen that early marriage, rape and sexual harassment have all been greatly reduced.
Women are starting to talk about their basic human rights and fight gender-based violence.
Communities are identifying and fighting against the harmful traditional practices that violate women’s rights. Laws have been established forbidding marriage before age 18. Punishment for breaking this law is five years imprisonment.