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2008

Health Policy Initiative Celebrates World AIDS Day 2008

December 1, 2008, marks the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day, with the theme of "Lead, Empower, Deliver." This theme encapsulates the core approaches of the USAID | Health Policy Initiative, Task Order 1, which works to combat HIV in over 20 countries worldwide.

HIV-positive Women in Mexico Step Out of the Shadows (Mexico)

The first-ever registered NGO for HIV-positive women in Mexico promotes empowerment and networking.

PLHIV Leaders Emerge in MENA

This document tells the story of how Arab PLHIV came together to form the region's first PLHIV network.

World Contraception Day 2008: Spotlight on Contraceptive Security

September 26 marks the second annual World Contraception Day; a worldwide campaign aiming to raise awareness of contraception and improve reproductive health education. The USAID | Health Policy Initiative is taking this opportunity to highlight our contraceptive security work in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Tanzanian Media Join HIV Response

With technical assistance from the USAID | Health Policy Initiative, Task Order 1, media houses in Tanzania are answering the call to become part of the private sector response to HIV. To date, 16 major media houses have adopted HIV workplace policies

Community Activist Combats Stigma (Tanzania)

This story describes Jackson Ngaiti, the Secretary of the Kongwa Red Cross Society. Ngaiti has become the driving force behind a community mobilization campaign to fight stigma in Tanzania's remote Kongwa district.

Tanzania Adopts HIV Law

This case study explores how the USAID-funded POLICY Project and USAID | Health Policy Initiative, Task Order 1, have worked to promote an enabling environment for HIV programs in Tanzania. In February 2008, Tanzania's Parliament passed the HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act, which prohibits discrimination against people living with HIV. The act also outlines the roles of the government, health sector, NGOs, faith-based groups, and the private sector in the national HIV response. Moreover, it calls for enhancing efforts to meet the needs of orphans and vulnerable children. These represent important steps forward. However, much work remains to clarify, disseminate, and ensure appropriate implementation of the act.

Leading the Way: Health Policy Initiative Mobilizes Religious Leader Response to HIV

Many faith-based organizations have responded to the HIV epidemic by encouraging prevention and providing care and support. Yet, challenges such as stigma, shame, denial, discrimination, inaction, and mis-action persist. Since 2006, the USAID | Health Policy Initiative, Task Order 1, has mobilized religious leaders in response to the HIV epidemic in Tanzania. The project's partners include Christian and Muslim organizations, as well as HIV-positive religious leaders. As demonstrated in this case study, the Health Policy Initiative has established strong relationships with faith-based institutions across different religious traditions.

Coming Together: Health Policy Initiative Helps PLHIV Build Stronger Networks

This case study highlights a successful district and regional network building approach in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, supported by the USAID | Health Policy Initiative, Task Order 1. With the project's support, the Kinondoni District Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (KINDIPHA+) has improved its leadership and management skills, designed a five-year strategic plan, and fostered the formation of sister networks in two neighboring districts. KINDIPHA+ then took its approach to the next level, bringing together the three district networks to form the Dar es Salaam Coalition of People Living with HIV and AIDS (DACOPHA). Building on its successes, KINDIPHA+ has begun reaching out to other regions to encourage them to build their own PLHIV networks.

Health Policy Initiative Celebrates World Population Day

July 11, 2008 marks the 40th World Population Day, a program of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). This day recognizes that family planning contributes to addressing development challenges such as poverty, gender equality, maternal health, and human rights. The USAID | Health Policy Initiative has implemented a range of strategies to ensure that family planning receives adequate political support and funding.

Kenya Adopts First National Reproductive Health Policy

This success story describes HPI's role in supporting the development and adoption of Kenya's first national reproductive health policy.

On Mother's Day, Let's Not Forget Maternal Health

The vast majority of maternal deaths and disabilities can be prevented with adequate access to maternal healthcare services. The USAID | Health Policy Initiative, Task Order 1, is committed to fostering an enabling environment for improved maternal health programs.

Health Policy Initiative Strengthens Women's Capacity to Shape Their Own Futures

March 8, 2008, marks International Women's Day, which honors women's progress and raises awareness of the continuing challenges posed by gender inequality.  This year's theme, "Shaping Progress," evokes the power of women to create change in their own lives, in their communities, and on a global scale.

Bringing Hope From Bitterness (Kenya)

Women and children are often deprived of home, land, and property in Kenya. This publication tells the story of Dorothy Owino, who overcame her own disinheritance to become a champion for women and children's rights in her community.

Dr. Nafsiah Mboi Combats Gender Inequity and HIV in Indonesia

This article tells the story of Dr. Nafsiah Mboi. As the Secretary of Indonesia's National AIDS Committee, she has encountered many challenges in her quest to stop the spread of HIV in her country, including gender discrimination.

Guatemala Congress Establishes Policy Monitoring Board

Policies are not always implemented after they are adopted, and often do not achieve desired results. As part of a pilot test of a new tool designed to assess policy implementation, the Health Policy Initiative evaluted the Social Development and Population Policy in Guatemala. The study's findings prompted the Congress of Guatemala to establish a monitoring board for reproductive health (RH), which will monitor the implementation of RH laws, find new funding sources, and spread RH awareness.

New Voices For Change in Tanzania

This document tells the story of the Health Policy Initiative's work with HIV-positive religious leaders and journalists in Tanzania. With support from the project, these groups are beginning to speak out against HIV-related stigma and discrimination.

Vietnam Puts HIV Law into Practice

This success story describes the progress Vietnam has made in the past few years to strengthen its HIV legal framework, including recent steps to implement its national HIV law.