Background
The sub-Saharan Region is the region showing the highest prevalence of HIV worldwide. In 1998 the Durban Statement adopted by the MINEDAF VII Conference of African Ministers of Education stressed the urgent need of joint efforts to combat the devastating effects of HIV/AIDS “with all means at our disposal”. The Dakar Framework for Action adopted by the World Education Forum in April 2000 underlined that “programmes to control and reduce the spread of the virus must make maximum use of education's potential to transmit messages on prevention and to change attitudes and behaviours”. During the World AIDS Conference held
in Durban/SouthAfrica in April 2000 the great importance of effective AIDS/HIV prevention work has been underscored as well as the urgent need for specific gender sensitive approaches. UNESCO’s Strategy for HIV/AIDS Preventive Education is based on the principle that “prevention is not only the most economical  response – it s the most patent and potent response, i.e. changing behaviour by providing knowledge, fostering attitudes and conferring skills through culturally sensitive and effective communication” and is directed towards five core tasks: advocacy at all levels; customizing the message; changing risk behaviour; caring for the infected and affected; coping with the institutional impact of HIV/AIDS.

Meanwhile we provide of several good examples for effective prevention work in different world regions. Empowering strategies for groups at risk belong to the core instruments for effective prevention. Awareness of gender stereotypes which play a substantive role in sexual behaviour is certainly key for both women and men. It seems, however, necessary to review existing prevention strategies in the light of a gender sensitive analysis and learn from good experiences in different world regions and different population groups (e.g. sex workers, men having sex with men).

It is in this context that an international seminar/workshop on development of educational strategies and IEC materials will take place. While focusing on African realities, this seminar/workshop will also build on good practices in Asia and Europe.

Objectives:
1. To examine the gender dimensions of the HIV/AIDS pandemic
2. To analyze  existing IEC practices in Africa 
3. To develop educational materials addressing groups at risk in different world regions that
are gender sensitive 
4. To come up with an HIV/AIDS preventive educational strategy addressing the needs of groups at risk in Africa  with a special focus on the gender perspective.

Expected participants
15- 20 representatives of government agencies, NGOs and regional organizations who are involved either in formulation of education of educational strategies and/or development of IEC materials in Africa (e.g. South Africa, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenia, Zambia and Zimbabwe). One resource person from Asia and another from Europe are expected to share their experiences. 

In collaboration with: UNESCO-PEER (Nairobi), UNAIDS

Venue: Methodist Guesthouse, Nairobi, Kenia
 

Draft Program: (July 09-13, 2001)

First day

 Introduction by participants
 Aims and objectives of the workshop, expected outcomes
Context analysis:

- Presentation of the experiences present
- Why a gender perspective?

Second day

 Sharing of IEC materials from Africa
 Review of experiences from Asia and Europe
 The specific case of Africa

Third day

 Looking at the principles/guidelines in development of gender-sensitive materials
 Workshop on identifying core messages for IEC materials for HIV/AIDS prevention
 Workshop on operationalizing core messages in countries

Fourth and fifth day

Development of gender-sensitive materials and suggestions for educational strategies
 

contact and info: Werner Mauch, UIE
w.mauch@unesco.org