Performing Arts: SAfAIDS Call for Statement of Interest
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By Rouzeh Eghtessadi, Harare
Integrating HIV/AIDS and Gender into the Performing Arts World
Southern Africa HIV/AIDS Information Dissemination Services (SA-
fAIDS) is committed to HIV and AIDS related capacity develop-
ment, research and increasing action and advocacy, within a gen-
der and human rights based approach and from an ethical and ef-
fective perspective in the southern African region.
As part of our Policy and Legal Reform Program, aimed at pro-
tecting the status of women and girls in the midst of HIV and
AIDS in southern Africa, SAfAIDS shall offer comprehensive and
empowering regional Training of Trainers (ToT) workshops to per-
forming arts groups/organisations in the region. This resolution
was taken after identifying that current conventional approaches
to developing gender transformative behaviours in the fight
against HIV and AIDS remain largely ineffective. Experience and
scientific data reveals that the use of the performing arts and
'edutainment' in empowering communities with coping skills and
relevant knowledge is effective in mobilizing communities to-
wards ensuring the protection of women and girls.
Our first ToT workshop has been scheduled for 7 - 12 February
2005. Performing arts groups/organisations, with interest in
HIV/AIDS and Gender Issues, in southern Africa are invited to
submit a statement of interest in participating in this ToT, and
develop a collaborative relationship with SAfAIDS in its future
HIV/AIDS related performing arts initiatives. Limited sponsor-
ship is available to support a few groups/organisations to at-
tend the ToT. Groups/organisations able to self-fund or co-fund
their attendance shall be given preference during our selection
process. Each selected group/organisation shall:
- Participate in a 6 day elaborate workshop, facilitated by an
international performing arts expert and co-facilitators with
gender, legal aid and HIV/AIDS expertise and experience in the
region.
- Receive a copy of a Manual developed by SAfAIDS, entitled "In-
tegrating HIV/AIDS and Gender into the Performing Arts in South-
ern Africa"
- Be linked with relevant gender, human rights, legal aid and
HIV/AIDS related networks, groups and organisations
- Be empowered to developed performing arts related programmes
that can secure financial support in the areas of HIV/AIDS and
Gender in the region
- Become a collaborative partner with SAfAIDS and its intermedi-
ary partner organisations in their efforts to promote HIV/AIDS
and Gender topical issues through use of the performing arts in
the region.
SAfAIDS invites you to complete the short statement of interest
below and return mailto:rouzeh@safaids.org.zw or
mailto:info@safaids.org.zw, or fax to +263-4-336-195 by December
18, 2004.
Groups and organisations with members who are predominantly
women and girls are ESPECIALLY encouraged to complete and submit
this statement of interest.
All Performing Arts Groups/Organisations selected will be re-
quired to complete a brief summary report of activities under-
taken.
Rouzeh Eghtessadi
Harare
mailto:rouzeh@safaids.org.zw