A Strategic Approach to the Development of evidence- based HIV/AIDS Workplace Education Policies and Behaviour Change Communication Programmes A Case Study Arlene Husbands & Mary-anne Redman October 15, 2007

Overview of Presentation Rationale for the project Rationale for the project Method used Method used Development of HIV/AIDS Policies and BCC Programmes Development of HIV/AIDS Policies and BCC Programmes Training of Peer Educators Training of Peer Educators Building of Partnerships Building of Partnerships Challenges and Lessons learned Challenges and Lessons learned Achievements Achievements Documentation of good practice Documentation of good practice

Objective: To present a case study of a pilot programme being implemented by the ILO/USDOL Workplace Education utilising a tri-partite approach to addressing HIV/AIDS in the World of Work To present a case study of a pilot programme being implemented by the ILO/USDOL Workplace Education utilising a tri-partite approach to addressing HIV/AIDS in the World of Work To share how this strategic approach is designed to create a multiplier effect and increases the potential to achieve the desired results of evidence-based BCC programmes To share how this strategic approach is designed to create a multiplier effect and increases the potential to achieve the desired results of evidence-based BCC programmes

Why Strategic? The Programme is integrated in its approach through the involvement of the Social Partnership Government, Labour and Employers ; NGOs and the input and feedback from the workers as well. The Programme is integrated in its approach through the involvement of the Social Partnership Government, Labour and Employers ; NGOs and the input and feedback from the workers as well. This integration builds ownership and buy- in and hopefully, greater success. This integration builds ownership and buy- in and hopefully, greater success.

Rationale HIV and AIDS is a humanitarian, human right and development crisis HIV and AIDS is a humanitarian, human right and development crisis More than 2 million people are living with HIV in Latin America and the Caribbean More than 2 million people are living with HIV in Latin America and the Caribbean Workers in the informal sector are vulnerable to the epidemic’s impact Workers in the informal sector are vulnerable to the epidemic’s impact Threat to ILOs constituents Threat to ILOs constituents Work” and the “workplace” shapes values and influences social interaction Work” and the “workplace” shapes values and influences social interaction

About the Project The ILO/USDOL HIV/AIDS Workplace Education Project, was launched in October, 2004 as part of ILO’s global programme on HIV/AIDS and the World of Work The ILO/USDOL HIV/AIDS Workplace Education Project, was launched in October, 2004 as part of ILO’s global programme on HIV/AIDS and the World of Work Partnership between the ILO, US Department of Labour and the Government of Barbados, Partnership between the ILO, US Department of Labour and the Government of Barbados, Linked to most existing workplace HIV/AIDS interventions in Barbados Linked to most existing workplace HIV/AIDS interventions in Barbados Involves the active input and participation from Government, employers and workers organizations and NGO’s. Involves the active input and participation from Government, employers and workers organizations and NGO’s.

Programme Objectives 1. To reduce HIV and AIDS risky behaviour among targeted workers 2. To reduce the level of employment-related discrimination against PLWHA’s

Methods Used Adopted a multi-sectoral response on a tri- partite platform Adopted a multi-sectoral response on a tri- partite platform Focused on enterprise-level interventions that inform workers about HIV/AIDS Focused on enterprise-level interventions that inform workers about HIV/AIDS Conducted mapping exercise of the world of work Conducted mapping exercise of the world of work Conducted training for Focal Point person, HIV/AIDS Committee and Peer Educators in participating enterprises Conducted training for Focal Point person, HIV/AIDS Committee and Peer Educators in participating enterprises Conducted baseline and follow up Impact surveys Conducted baseline and follow up Impact surveys Conducted Performance M&E Training Conducted Performance M&E Training

Non- discrimination Confidentiality Social Dialogue Gender equality No screening No dismissal 10 KEY PRINCIPLES Healthy work environment Prevention Care and support HIV a Workplace issue

Development of Tailored Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) BCC defined: Behaviour Change Communication is an interactive process that helps to design and develop customized messages and approaches, using various channels, with the intention of developing desirable behaviours and promoting and sustaining positive change in a targeted group. BCC defined: Behaviour Change Communication is an interactive process that helps to design and develop customized messages and approaches, using various channels, with the intention of developing desirable behaviours and promoting and sustaining positive change in a targeted group.

BCC Process Use formative assessment surveys Use formative assessment surveys Ascertain the specific behaviours that needed to be changed in each enterprise Ascertain the specific behaviours that needed to be changed in each enterprise Develop the correct messages for the specific targeted group Develop the correct messages for the specific targeted group Use the right channels to get these customized messages across. Use the right channels to get these customized messages across.

Peer Educators Identification and training of persons identified with the requisite personality traits for this task. Identification and training of persons identified with the requisite personality traits for this task. Peer educators are expected to conduct a number of functions within the company’s HIV/AIDS Workplace programme; Peer educators are expected to conduct a number of functions within the company’s HIV/AIDS Workplace programme;

Building of partnerships to mainstream the programme as part of the National HIV/AIDS programme IMPORTANT!!!!! Utilise the help of PLWHA in conceptualizing, formulating, implementing and evaluating your strategies and programmes Utilise the help of PLWHA in conceptualizing, formulating, implementing and evaluating your strategies and programmes Already existing partnerships must be strengthened and broadened Already existing partnerships must be strengthened and broadened

Challenges in Mobilising the Private Sector At the enterprise level Workplace initiatives often underfinanced and face issues of long-term sustainability. Workplace initiatives often underfinanced and face issues of long-term sustainability. Lack of institutional capacity for designing policies or moving beyond articulated policies to programs. Lack of institutional capacity for designing policies or moving beyond articulated policies to programs. Weak framework for reporting, monitoring and evaluating private initiative. Weak framework for reporting, monitoring and evaluating private initiative.

Lessons Learnt in Mobilising the Private Sector HIV/AIDS not viewed as a priority business concern HIV/AIDS not viewed as a priority business concern Where the private sector is engaged - usually as a result of strong leadership at the level of the CEO. Where the private sector is engaged - usually as a result of strong leadership at the level of the CEO. Expanded programmes highlighting a wider corporate responsibility Expanded programmes highlighting a wider corporate responsibility Integrate HIV into OHS and Health and Wellness programme Integrate HIV into OHS and Health and Wellness programme WEP’s require combined, multi-faceted, synergistic tri-partite approach WEP’s require combined, multi-faceted, synergistic tri-partite approach

Achievements to Date Number of workers reached through project activities – 2,652 Number of workers reached through project activities – 2,652 Number of enterprises with Policies - 6 Number of enterprises with Policies - 6 Number of enterprises with a Draft Policy - 3 Number of enterprises with a Draft Policy - 3 Number of enterprises developing draft policies -2 Number of enterprises developing draft policies -2 Number of enterprises with Focal Points- 11 Number of staff trained to promote HIV Prevention through BCC - 52 Number of staff trained in HIV Policy development - 91

Achievements to Date 3 BCC Sector Strategies developed 3 BCC Sector Strategies developed 11 BCC enterprise specific programmes developed and launched 11 BCC enterprise specific programmes developed and launched Peer Educator Tool-kit developed for 97 Peer Peer Educator Tool-kit developed for 97 Peer Educators Educators 16 Labour officers/Inspectors trained in development of workplace policy Improved ability of selected staff members to design and implement basic BCC strategies Participation of some enterprises in community outreach activities as part of CSR

Sharing Good Practices Efforts at documentation of best practices are in train Efforts at documentation of best practices are in train Outcomes of the Dissemination Workshop combined with recommendations from the Sustainability Plan will be widely distributed and used to further inform the sustainability process. Outcomes of the Dissemination Workshop combined with recommendations from the Sustainability Plan will be widely distributed and used to further inform the sustainability process.

Conclusion The workplace an important entry point for building awareness, addressing behaviour change, stigma and discrimination and offering support. The workplace an important entry point for building awareness, addressing behaviour change, stigma and discrimination and offering support. Adopting a tri-partite approach to addressing HIV/AIDS in the World of Work creates a multiplier effect and increases the potential to achieve the desired results of evidence-based BCC programmes. Adopting a tri-partite approach to addressing HIV/AIDS in the World of Work creates a multiplier effect and increases the potential to achieve the desired results of evidence-based BCC programmes. It is hoped that the full potential of this programme would be recognised and the programme itself replicated across all sectors as a wider part of the National HIV/AIDS Strategic Plan It is hoped that the full potential of this programme would be recognised and the programme itself replicated across all sectors as a wider part of the National HIV/AIDS Strategic Plan