Eritrea is involving faith-based organizations in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
All four of the major faiths-the Eritrean Orthodox Church, the Muslims,
the Catholic Church, and the Evangelical Church-have joined together
to form an Interfaith Committee for HIV/AIDS Education and Prevention.
In January 2001, religious leaders participated in a successful AIDSWalk
organized by the Eritrean Chamber of Commerce, the National Confederation
of Eritrean Workers, and the Employers Federation. The religious leaders-the
Orthodox Patriarch, the Muslim Mufti, the Bishop of the Catholic Church
in Eritrea, and the President of the Evangelical Church-all participated
and were quoted on a December 2001 World AIDS Day poster. Finally, the
Interfaith Committee organized an interfaith service in Asmara's Meskerem
Square to commemorate World AIDS Day in December 2001. The service was
well-planned and well-attended, with equal roles played by the four
faiths.
USAID worked with UNAIDS, the US Embassy Public Affairs Office, and
other donors to encourage this movement. For example, USAID helped to
identify an American speaker for the US Embassy Public Diplomacy speakers
program whose US advocacy work on HIV has included faith-based organizations,
the business community, local government and youth. This speaker, who
is living positively with HIV/AIDS, had a powerful impact on religious
leaders in Eritrea. Other USAID-sponsored consultants, including others
living with AIDS, have also met with Eritrean religious leaders over
the past two years. In 2001, faith-based organizations were included
in the design of a comprehensive behavior change communications program.
They have helped ensure that the theme of compassion toward people living
with HIV and AIDS is reinforced. The shame and fear of stigma associated
with HIV in Eritrea are barriers to preventive efforts as well as to
the care and full participation of people living with AIDS in the society
and economy. The theme of compassion will help to remove these barriers,
thanks to the active participation of faith-based organizations.
Involving Faith-Based Organizations in the Fight against HIV/AIDS
