Project Database
EFAIDS Programme
| Country: | Dominica |
| Start Date: | 2007-01-01 |
| Deadline: | 2010-12-31 |
| Host organisations: |
Dominica Association of Teachers
(DAT)
|
| Co-operating organisations: |
Education International
(EI)
World Health Organisation (WHO) Education Development Center (EDC) |
| Related Links: |
DAT Policy on HIV/AIDS for the Teaching Profession |
| Grouping: | EI Education For All-HIV/AIDS Prevention (EFAIDS) Programme |
Project Summary:
Relative to other Caribbean states, the number of HIV infections in Dominica is low. There are concerns, however, with the potential for the escalation of the disease in an island where nearly half of the population is less than 25 years old.
Lack of accurate knowledge of HIV and AIDS among education sector workers, stigma and discrimination and the lack of an HIV policy for the workplace are challenges that the Dominica Association of Teachers (DAT) has decided to tackle. According to DAT, there is an urgent need for the development of a policy to govern the rights and protection of teachers living with AIDS (PLWA).
DAT has been very involved in the training of its teachers, providing them with the knowledge and skills necessary to disseminate accurate information and thus reduce the incidents of HIV and AIDS. During the past year, capacity building activities were intensified. Various workshops addressing issues related to EFA and HIV were facilitated with the staff of three primary schools and community leaders. Sessions were facilitated during the Ministry of Education /DAT Summer Workshop.
A union Code of Ethics was published and distributed to teachers and implementation workshops were organised, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education.
With members’ commitment compensating for the small size of the union and its lack of full-time staff, the union has carried out a full programme of activities; organising various meetings with its members in order to promote debates with teachers, reviewing HIV workplace policies from other countries and elaborating a draft version of its own policy. The DAT Status of Women Committee has played a leading role in mobilising members throughout the country in awareness campaigns. With the assistance of this group the union organised activities to mark World AIDS Day in the 66 primary schools in Dominic. At The Dominica Community High School, 36 Form One students were led in the ‘One Hour on AIDS’ lesson in an open and respectful atmosphere.
Similar projects elsewhere in the region:
Antigua and Barbuda - EFAIDS Programme Belize - EFAIDS Programme Grenada - EFAIDS Programme Guyana - EFAIDS Programme Haiti - EFAIDS Programme Jamaica - EFAIDS Programme Saint Kitts and Nevis - EFAIDS Programme Saint Lucia - EFAIDS Programme Saint Vincent and the Grenadines - EFAIDS Programme Suriname - EFAIDS Programme Trinidad and Tobago - EFAIDS Programme
