Impact of Cultural Beliefs and Practices on HIV/AIDS Prevention in Africa Erline Belton, President/CEO Rev. Evatt Mugarura The Lyceum Group Director, Africa Program Boston, MA The Balm In Gilead

Overview of Presentation About The Balm In Gilead’s Africa HIV/AIDS Faith Initiative About The Balm In Gilead’s Africa HIV/AIDS Faith Initiative Addressing HIV/AIDS within the context of specific cultures within and across countries Addressing HIV/AIDS within the context of specific cultures within and across countries Faith leaders play a significant role in shaping the cultural beliefs and practices that influence HIV/AIDS behavior and attitudes Faith leaders play a significant role in shaping the cultural beliefs and practices that influence HIV/AIDS behavior and attitudes Some cultural beliefs and practices promote the prevention of HIV/AIDS. Some cultural beliefs and practices promote the prevention of HIV/AIDS.

The Balm In Gilead is a not-for- profit, non-governmental organization with an international mission to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS throughout the African Diaspora by building the capacity of faith communities to provide AIDS education, services and support networks for all people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. The Balm In Gilead is a not-for- profit, non-governmental organization with an international mission to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS throughout the African Diaspora by building the capacity of faith communities to provide AIDS education, services and support networks for all people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. Our Mission

Organizational Objectives Build the capacity of faith communities to: l Provide compassionate leadership in the prevention of HIV; l Disseminate HIV information; l Deliver supportive services to those infected and affected.

Throughout Black communities worldwide, churches and mosques are considered by the people to be the most important institution in the community.

The Balm In Gilead’s The Africa HIV/AIDS Faith Initiative Cote d’ Ivoire * Kenya * Nigeria * Tanzania Zimbabwe Purpose An initiative designed to build a sustainable health education and service delivery system in which African faith communities can operate independently.

The Balm In Gilead’s The Africa HIV/AIDS Faith Initiative Program Goal Increase the capacity of faith communities to become an effective force in the fight against the AIDS pandemic in Cote d’ Ivoire, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. Increase the capacity of faith communities to become an effective force in the fight against the AIDS pandemic in Cote d’ Ivoire, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.

The Balm In Gilead’s Africa HIV/AIDS Faith Initiative Establish an International Partnership Developing Synergy Zimbabwe Kenya Nigeria Cote d’Iviore Tanzania The BALM IN GILEAD

The Role of Religious Leaders in Addressing HIV/AIDS in Africa Religious leaders are the most influential and respected in throughout the community and they are unparalleled in their ability to reach Africans across gender, age and economic characteristics to address the AIDS crisis. Religious leaders are the most influential and respected in throughout the community and they are unparalleled in their ability to reach Africans across gender, age and economic characteristics to address the AIDS crisis. Religious leaders have a consistent voluntary audience every Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Religious leaders have a consistent voluntary audience every Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Religious leaders are with the people in time of happiness and sorrow Religious leaders are with the people in time of happiness and sorrow

Some Identified Cultural Beliefs, values and Practices that must be Considered In Addressing HIV/AIDS in Africa

Marriage (Abstinence, child bearing, Polygamy) Marriage (Abstinence, child bearing, Polygamy) Initiation into Adulthood (Circumcision, FGM, Sex Education) Initiation into Adulthood (Circumcision, FGM, Sex Education) Death (Life after Death) Death (Life after Death) Religion and Spirituality are central in an African’s Daily Life Religion and Spirituality are central in an African’s Daily Life Rituals are a part of every tasks, example: planting corn or yams requires a blessing from the elders or ancestors Rituals are a part of every tasks, example: planting corn or yams requires a blessing from the elders or ancestors

Barriers Related to Working With Faith Communities Effectively Lack of identified principles Lack of identified principles No strategic systems approach No strategic systems approach Lack of understanding of the settings Lack of understanding of the settings Unwillingness to improve and use existing structures Unwillingness to improve and use existing structures Overlooking people’s ideas Overlooking people’s ideas Lack of cultural relevancy Lack of cultural relevancy Operating form an EXPERT point of view Operating form an EXPERT point of view

Guidelines Related to Cultural/Religious Realities Identify Principles Identify Principles Take a Systematic Approach Take a Systematic Approach Understand the setting or environment Understand the setting or environment Use, support and improve existing structures Use, support and improve existing structures Test personal assumptions and beliefs Test personal assumptions and beliefs

Recommendations Engage religious leaders in dialogue to get their support and leadership Engage religious leaders in dialogue to get their support and leadership Approach the work as a teacher and learner Approach the work as a teacher and learner Build on existing infrastructures Build on existing infrastructures Meet people where they are (build on their values) Meet people where they are (build on their values) Address HIV/AIDS in a context of people’s daily lives Address HIV/AIDS in a context of people’s daily lives

Recommendations Cont. Ensure that people you choose to hire are competent and culturally relevant to the population you serve. Ensure that people you choose to hire are competent and culturally relevant to the population you serve. Develop leadership skills and a strong sustainable system for communities to operate independently after your departure. Develop leadership skills and a strong sustainable system for communities to operate independently after your departure.

Wisdom does not live in one house. *Ashanti Proverb*