HIV and AIDS is a reality for almost 40 million people globally. The vast majority live in developing countries and many struggle with the dual burden of poverty and AIDS. Oxfam Ireland recognises that AIDS both undermines efforts to eradicate poverty and directly causes poverty. More than 20 million people have died of AIDS in the past twenty years and while there are some positive developments in a number of countries and situations, millions of people are infected with HIV and are living with its consequences.

Keeping HIV and gender on the agenda

Oxfam Ireland works alongside other members of the Oxfam family and other Non-Governmental Organisations in Ireland to keep HIV and AIDS high on both political and development agendas. We also recognise the importance of addressing the gender dimensions of the epidemic and the way in which women and girls are adversely affected by cultural, traditional and social factors over which they have little control.

Our HIV and AIDS programmes

Oxfam Ireland considers HIV and AIDS to be key to all of its work: we are therefore supporting staff and partner organisations in the Horn, East and Central Africa to prevent HIV and AIDS proactively in their workplace and communities and to include HIV prevention and care also in livelihoods or humanitarian projects.

Our programmes enable local community organisations to provide support and care to people living with or affected by the HIV virus and fight stigma and discrimination. We also work to reach the poorest and most isolated communities with reproductive health programmes.

Oxfam International HIV mainstreaming programmes are supported in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania, alongside our livelihoods and humanitarian programmes.

• Download the booklet: Experiences of Oxfam International on HIV Mainstreaming in ECA

Visit www.UNAIDS.org for more information on the HIV and AIDS pandemic.