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Country Profiles |
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Namibia Workplace ProgramsTargeting the workplace through capacity-building of local NGOs
Implementing partners: AIDS Care Trust Legal Assistance Centre AIDS Law Unit Chamber of Mines Walvis Bay Multipurpose Centre Sam Nujoma Multipurpose Centre |
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Namibia has developed a comprehensive policy and legislative framework to address workplace discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) as outlined in the National Code on HIV/AIDS and Employment. FHI Namibia's Workplace Program focuses on building the capacity of local NGOs and institutions to provide a comprehensive workplace package to the private, public, state and local government sectors in support of employees infected with or directly affected by HIV/AIDS. Businesses have learned that community outreach through HIV/AIDS prevention and care not only meets community needs but also enhances a company's image and helps sustain its workforce. The mining industry in Namibia has been at the forefront of implementing workplace interventions through the Chamber of Mines. The Chamber's Occupational Health Education and Awareness Program (OHEAP) targets the mining communities with a specific emphasis on HIV/AIDS prevention and care. In 2001, FHI embarked on a more comprehensive workplace HIV/AIDS care and support program with the Chamber of Mines, AIDS Care Trust (ACT), the Walvis Bay Multipurpose Centre and the Sam Nujoma Multipurpose Centre in Ongwediva. The program reaches over 20,000 workers and dependants at more than 25 workplaces. Together with its partners, FHI Namibia has developed, field-tested, and published a Participatory Peer Education Training Manual for the workplace and a companion workplace peer education practical guide and information package. The FHI-supported workplace program is run as "a fee for services" program, albeit still subsidized at this time, but with the intention of making it self-sustaining, by building the capacity of the NGOs to provide quality services to its customers. Companies pay a set fee calculated on the size of the company workforce (or number of people to be trained) for a training and supervision package, including educational materials. The comprehensive approach also requires each workplace to have at least a draft HIV/AIDS policy in place that ensures management commitment to supporting the initiative over the long term. The AIDS Law Unit (ALU) of the Legal Assistance Centre provides assistance across the board by facilitating the establishment of a legal and social environment that encourages openness about HIV infection and fair and equitable treatment from society for people affected and infected by HIV/AIDS. The AIDS Law Unit's program complements the FHI-funded workplace programs through training, legal support, and formulation of policies. The development of workplace policies ensures access by people with HIV/AIDS to employment and employment benefits, and protects those already employed against stigma and discrimination. The AIDS Law Unit ensures that all partners including management, workforce and trade unions are actively involved in formulating company policies. (For more information on the ALU, go to http://www.lac.org.na.) Materials Peer Educator Flipchart FHI Namibia has created a flipchart as part of its workplace HIV/AIDS education and prevention program. The flipchart contains 24 panels, which can be downloaded in PDF format by clicking the links below:
VCT and MTCT Information Booklet FHI Namibia has created an information booklet as part of a voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) education program and mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) prevention program. The booklet contains 24 pages, which can be downloaded in PDF format by clicking the link below: |
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