Besides providing testing and treatments to patients, WAAF also strives to improve the quality of life of persons living with HIV and AIDS. WAAF currently runs two programs to help meet this goal:
1) Stigma reduction program via education and media mobilization
2) Skills training for persons living with HIV/AIDS and other vulnerable groups
Stigma reduction
HIV-related stigma can be a serious barrier to seeking counseling, testing, and treatment for many patients. WAAF hopes to eliminate stigma against persons living with HIV/AIDS by increasing dialogue about the issue at various levels of society. WAAF held informational sessions on stigma and discrimination in a multitude of communities and schools, including those in Ga South, Ga East, Ayawaso East Districts, Takoradi, and Keta township. Over 3,000 people attended these sessions.
In order to reach more people with the anti-stigma message, WAAF hopes to mobilize media sources such as TV, radio, and internet. Therefore, WAAF is holding a series of workshops for key media actors under the theme, “The Media as Partners in Stigma Reduction.” The workshop provides a platform for discussions and suggestions on mass media’s potential to make positive strides in addressing the serious issue of HIV-related stigma. Over 50 media personnel attended the first workshop.
The media workshop has spurred many positive results. Many newspapers, including the Daily Graphic and Ghanaian Trust, have published articles on HIV-related stigma. There have also been three radio shows on this topic on Healthline, Unique FM, Woman to Woman on GBC and live interviews on radio Gold.
Skills training
WAAF runs a series of vocational workshops throughout the year to equip most at risk populations (MARPs) and vulnerable groups with skills that can support entrepreneurial ventures. So far, over 60 individuals have been trained in bead making and Batik tie-and-dye; this has allowed HIV-positive persons to sell beautiful jewelry and cloth to maintain economic stability while receiving ARV treatments.
