April 2004 WCRP-HIVAN Forum:“Deadly Myths?? Screening and Panel Discussion

Note for your diary: “Deadly Myths?? will be screened at the 25th International Film Festival to be held in Durban, June 2004. For more information, visit: http:// www.cca.ukzn.ac.za/ Durban_International_Film_Festival.htm. On 15 April 2004, HIVAN and the World Conference of Religion and Peace (WCRP) co-hosted a screening of a film produced in the form of a docu-drama by social anthropologist and HIVAN Deputy Director of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Jill Kruger, entitled “Deadly Myths??.

Guidelines for HIV/AIDS Interventions in Emergency settings

With conflict and natural disaster fuelling the spread of HIV/AIDS in the developing world, the UN Inter Agency Standing Committee Task Force on HIV/AIDS in Emergency Settings (IASC-TF) has released a practical handbook on effective interventions in the field.

Do it for South Africa - Participate in the 2004 Durex Global Sex Survey

South Africans are being coaxed to "do it" online - for their country - in the world’s biggest online poll.

Thandanani appoints new executive director

Thandanani’s mission has been to build the capacity of communities in Southern Africa to respond to the needs of their Orphans and Other Vulnerable Children. Thandanani currently works with volunteer committees in the Pietermaritzburg areas with the main areas of focus being training and education, the advocating children’s rights and psycho-social support. They also provide accredited training.

North and South Coast Community Forum Series - May 2004

HIVAN hosts a quarterly Community Forum series in the North and South Coast areas, at the Verulam Child Welfare Society and at the Shallcross Community Hall. The topic for the May sessions was: “ARV roll-out - Where are we??. Sindiswe Blose, the Assistant Co-ordinator of the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) was the guest presenter.

Call for Proposals - 16 Days of Activism - No Violence Against Women and Children

As part of celebrating the decade of democracy, the Foundation for Human Rights in South Africa in partnership with the Department of Justice and constitutional Development, invites civil society organizations to submit proposals in respect of programmes that deal which deal with violence against women and children and which supports the efforts of women to take charge of their lives. The funds of this programme were raised through the efforts of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development through the "16 Days of Activism" campaign against violence against women and children.

HIV/AIDS and tourism top the KZN agenda

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sbu Ndebele has announced a comprehensive strategy to fight HIV/AIDS in the province, which includes accrediting more institutions to administer anti-retrovirals and increasing the number of patients on the programme.

World AIDS Campaign 2004: Women, Girls, HIV and AIDS

This strategy note introduces the World AIDS Campaign theme for 2004: Women,Girls, HIV and AIDS, and intends to provide an overview to help inform those planning a campaign in 2004. It describes how the theme was decided and suggests key partners, messages and sub-themes.

Real People, Real Progress

Wednesday 18 May 2004 marked the seventh HIV Vaccine Awareness Day. This celebration is held annually following former US President Bill Clinton’s 1997 challenge to scientists to develop "the 21st century's first great triumph": a vaccine to prevent HIV infection. This year's theme "Real People, Real Progress" embodied a tribute to the thousands of volunteer participants and researchers involved internationally in the search for effective preventive HIV vaccines. The focus of this cross-country event was education and information-sharing.

ARV programme stumbles?

Tuesday this week was International Children’s Day. It was also the day on which we heard the news that government had instructed all provinces that had begun implementing an HIV/AIDS Care and Treatment Plan to stop enrolling any more children for treatment. Health-e News Service takes a look at the supply of antiretroviral drugs in the public health sector.