ActionAid International Annual Report 2006

Progress towards our strategic objectives

The Right to a Life of Dignity in the Face of HIV and AIDS

An estimated three million people died of AIDS in 2006, and 40 million people were living with the disease. Our experience of more than 20 years of working on HIV and AIDS has made us acutely aware of the complexity of the problem, and the need for a holistic response.

We work in communities to build awareness of the disease and help prevent transmission, and we assist those living with HIV and AIDS to secure better treatment and care, fight discrimination and stigma and to enjoy their rights to a life of dignity.

Story of Change in Malawi:

Rose grows and her children benefit

Rose Chiyenda, 32, from Malawi’s Salima District, joined her local STAR circle in January 2006. “Circle discussions have equipped me with communication skills and I can now discuss different issues with my husband,” she says. “I can contribute to decision-making in my home and I am happy about it.”

Rose cares for ten children, six of her own and four of her late sister’s. She was renowned in her village for being very hard on the orphans in her care, getting them to work on her land instead of going to school. She says: “I remember telling them that I could not send them to school because it was not my responsibility but that it was right and proper for me to send my own children to school as I was responsible for them.”

As she discussed issues of illiteracy and orphanhood with her neighbours in the STAR circle, she began to change her attitude towards the orphans. She says: “The circle discussions helped me understand the problems that orphans encounter. I now realize the need to put these kids in school. If they don’t go to school, they will be beggars for life. I was able to convince my husband to allow them to go.”

Prevention and participation

One of the most innovative areas of ActionAid’s work on HIV and AIDS has been the STAR project, which brings people together in community groups to reflect and act together on HIV and AIDS and related issues. Since we began piloting STAR in 2005, many examples have emerged of groups initiating changes in their communities and demanding their rights. In Uganda, women from a STAR circle visited people in their homes to educate them on HIV and AIDS, and the services and rights available to them. Over 100 people were linked to The AIDS Support Organisation to obtain services such as testing and home-based care. In Malawi, a STAR circle lobbied the Health Minister and managed to get a voluntary counselling and testing centre set up at their local health centre.

Building alliances of people living with HIV and AIDS

Across the world, 2006 saw people and organisations join forces in their fight against AIDS, with ActionAid’s support. A highlight of the year was the first Global Week of Action on HIV and AIDS, during which campaigners and activists organised rallies, vigils and celebrations in more than 25 countries across the globe to demand universal access to treatment by 2010.

National alliances were also strenghtened. In Pakistan, the first alliance of people living with HIV and AIDS was established and in Tanzania, India and Nepal, groups of people living with HIV and AIDS were supported to organise themselves locally to demand their rights to treatment, care and equality. In Liberia, Ethiopia, Malawi and Nigeria, we helped to build networks and coalitions of women living with HIV and AIDS. In Bangladesh, partnerships were made with parliamentarians.

Another key achievement was the establishment of a broad-based network of organisations working on HIV and AIDS in Africa, which managed to persuade health ministers to adopt ambitious national targets for universal access during the African Union health summit.

Changes to policies and practices

One of our main successes in 2006 was our work with partners and allies to influence the policies of the Kenyan government around HIV and AIDS. The decision to make antiretroviral drugs free in public hospitals has enabled thousands of people living with AIDS in Kenya to access treatment. We also helped to defeat proposed legislation that would have increased the cost of drugs in Kenya by over 1000%. Across Africa, access to treatment has risen tenfold. In Uganda, we worked with partners to combat the misappropriation of aid money intended for medicines and counselling services for those living with HIV and AIDS.

Internationally, a major focus was the UN General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS held in New York from 31 May to 2 June. Although we worked hard to make an impact on decisions taken there, including preparatory work with African leaders, the outcomes were disappointing. However, one great innovation was our use of ‘advocasting’, using technology to connect people living with HIV and AIDS in India, Nigeria and Bangladesh to international AIDS conferences in Toronto and New York. This allowed citizens around the world to voice their opinions directly to international decision-makers.

However, these victories have made us more keenly aware of the need for people living with HIV and AIDS to be involved in the process of changing policy. Legal breakthroughs or policy initiatives will have less impact if rural people are unaware that an act exists which protects their rights, or women lack the power to negotiate safe sex and reject violence, or if citizens cannot stop local governments from embezzling or diverting funds. We need to make more effort in 2007 to empower people living with HIV and AIDS and increase their political energy and opportunities.

Home Introduction Mission, Vision, Values Message from Chair and CE Message from Treasurer Strategic Overview Strategic Objectives Women's Rights Education Rights Food Rights Human Security HIV/AIDS Governance Other Initiatives Organisational Objectives Governance & Audit Financial Review Review Auditors' report Policies Financial Accounts Income statement Balance Sheet Cash Flow Note 1 Notes 2 & 3 Note 4 Note 4c Notes 5 & 6 Note 7 Note 8 & 9 Note 10 Note 11 Note 12 Note 13 Note 14 Note 15 Notes 16 & 17 Board-Trustees/Directors Photo Galleries Get on board 2006 South Asia Earthquake Global Action Week Video Gallery Contact Us		Progress towards our strategic objectives The Right to a Life of Dignity in the Face of HIV and AIDS An estimated three million people died of AIDS in 2006, and 40 million people were living with the disease. Our experience of more than 20 years of working on HIV and AIDS has made us acutely aware of the complexity of the problem, and the need for a holistic response. We work in communities to build awareness of the disease and help prevent transmission, and we assist those living with HIV and AIDS to secure better treatment and care, fight discrimination and stigma and to enjoy their rights to a life of dignity. Story of Change in Malawi: Rose grows and her children benefit Rose Chiyenda, 32, from Malawi’s Salima District, joined her local STAR circle in January 2006. “Circle discussions have equipped me with communication skills and I can now discuss different issues with my husband,” she says. “I can contribute to decision-making in my home and I am happy about it.” Rose cares for ten children, six of her own and four of her late sister’s. She was renowned in her village for being very hard on the orphans in her care, getting them to work on her land instead of going to school. She says: “I remember telling them that I could not send them to school because it was not my responsibility but that it was right and proper for me to send my own children to school as I was responsible for them.” As she discussed issues of illiteracy and orphanhood with her neighbours in the STAR circle, she began to change her attitude towards the orphans. She says: “The circle discussions helped me understand the problems that orphans encounter. I now realize the need to put these kids in school. If they don’t go to school, they will be beggars for life. I was able to convince my husband to allow them to go.” Prevention and participation One of the most innovative areas of ActionAid’s work on HIV and AIDS has been the STAR project, which brings people together in community groups to reflect and act together on HIV and AIDS and related issues. Since we began piloting STAR in 2005, many examples have emerged of groups initiating changes in their communities and demanding their rights. In Uganda, women from a STAR circle visited people in their homes to educate them on HIV and AIDS, and the services and rights available to them. Over 100 people were linked to The AIDS Support Organisation to obtain services such as testing and home-based care. In Malawi, a STAR circle lobbied the Health Minister and managed to get a voluntary counselling and testing centre set up at their local health centre. Building alliances of people living with HIV and AIDS Across the world, 2006 saw people and organisations join forces in their fight against AIDS, with ActionAid’s support. A highlight of the year was the first Global Week of Action on HIV and AIDS, during which campaigners and activists organised rallies, vigils and celebrations in more than 25 countries across the globe to demand universal access to treatment by 2010. National alliances were also strenghtened. In Pakistan, the first alliance of people living with HIV and AIDS was established and in Tanzania, India and Nepal, groups of people living with HIV and AIDS were supported to organise themselves locally to demand their rights to treatment, care and equality. In Liberia, Ethiopia, Malawi and Nigeria, we helped to build networks and coalitions of women living with HIV and AIDS. In Bangladesh, partnerships were made with parliamentarians. Another key achievement was the establishment of a broad-based network of organisations working on HIV and AIDS in Africa, which managed to persuade health ministers to adopt ambitious national targets for universal access during the African Union health summit. Changes to policies and practices One of our main successes in 2006 was our work with partners and allies to influence the policies of the Kenyan government around HIV and AIDS. The decision to make antiretroviral drugs free in public hospitals has enabled thousands of people living with AIDS in Kenya to access treatment. We also helped to defeat proposed legislation that would have increased the cost of drugs in Kenya by over 1000%. Across Africa, access to treatment has risen tenfold. In Uganda, we worked with partners to combat the misappropriation of aid money intended for medicines and counselling services for those living with HIV and AIDS. Internationally, a major focus was the UN General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS held in New York from 31 May to 2 June. Although we worked hard to make an impact on decisions taken there, including preparatory work with African leaders, the outcomes were disappointing. However, one great innovation was our use of ‘advocasting’, using technology to connect people living with HIV and AIDS in India, Nigeria and Bangladesh to international AIDS conferences in Toronto and New York. This allowed citizens around the world to voice their opinions directly to international decision-makers. However, these victories have made us more keenly aware of the need for people living with HIV and AIDS to be involved in the process of changing policy. Legal breakthroughs or policy initiatives will have less impact if rural people are unaware that an act exists which protects their rights, or women lack the power to negotiate safe sex and reject violence, or if citizens cannot stop local governments from embezzling or diverting funds. We need to make more effort in 2007 to empower people living with HIV and AIDS and increase their political energy and opportunities.


© 2007 ActionAid International. All rights reserved.