Multi-sectoral responses to HIV/AIDS: constraints and opportunities for technical co-operation
Hemrich, G.; Topouzis, D.
Journal of International Development 12(1): 85-99
2000
ISSN/ISBN: 0954-1748 DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1099-1328(200001)12:1<85::aid-jid621>3.0.co;2-cDocument Number: 275429
The magnitude of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, the severity of its impact and the inadequacy of purely health-based responses have prompted national, bilateral and international organizations alike to adopt multi-sectoral responses to contain the spread and mitigate the effects of HIV/AIDS. So far, the implementation of multi-sectoral responses has been hampered by a host of structural, logistical and policy constraints. The paper examines the operational status, implications and constraints of multi-sectoral responses to HIV/AIDS for technical cooperation programmes, focusing on agricultural and rural development projects supported by GTZ in sub-Saharan Africa. The paper proposes a conceptual framework on the relevance of HIV/AIDS to non-health technical cooperation programmes, highlighting factors of susceptibility and vulnerability to the epidemic. It is argued that as HIV/AIDS is rooted in problems of underdevelopment, such as poverty, food and livelihood insecurity, socio-cultural inequalities and poor support services and infrastructure, AIDS-specific responses alone are unlikely to contain the spread or mitigate the impact of the epidemic. What is needed is a shift from AIDS-specific responses to what are oft-perceived to be AIDS-specific problems to an approach that addresses broader development problems across sectors, highlighting the specificity of HIV where necessary.