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Iniciativa Ecumênica VIH/SIDA na África (EHAIA)

Churches in Africa, rooted in communities, are influential institutions which can be a force for transformation - bringing healing, hope and accompaniment to all people affected by HIV.

A Iniciativa Ecumênica VIH/SIDA na África (EHAIA), foi criada em 2002, a partir de um esforço conjunto das igrejas africanas, das igrejas e agências do norte e do Concilio Mundial de Igrejas (CMI).

A EHAIA possibilita que as igrejas, na África, tenham acesso a informação, a treinamento, a uma rede de informação e serviços, e fundos necessários para atender as necessidades com HIV/AIDS, nas suas comunidades.

 

A EHAIA trabalha para ajudar as igrejas, na África, a tornarem-se "Igrejas aptas de lidar com SIDA". A EHAIA descreve a igreja perita em SIDA através de cinco objetivos:

  • Ensinamentos e a prática das igrejas indicam claramente que o "estigma e a discriminação contra PVA é pecado e contrariam a vontade de Deus";
  • Igrejas e parceiros ecumênicos estão plenamente conscientes da severidade da pandemia VIH/SIDA, na África;
  • Igrejas na África penetram, e respondem de forma positiva e comunitaria a todas as colaborações contra o VIH/;
  • Igrejas vêem o seu dever na prevenção do VIH/SIDA e dão atenção a questões pastorais, culturais e genéricas;
  • As igrejas usam os seus recursos e estruturas para providenciar assistência, aconselhamento e apoio aos afetados.

EHAIA está presente na África com cinco coordenadores regionais e dois consultores teológicos.

This workplace policy is in keeping with the on-going work of the WCC and with the statement adopted by the WCC Central Committee which outlined a series of actions which churches could undertake in responding to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. It is informed by the ILO and UNAIDS workplace policies.
To promote the greater participation of people living with HIV, churches and communities need to go beyond dealing with individuals. These guidelines are to help churches to reach out to others skilfully and in a planned way by highlighting the reasons for forming partnerships and some of the challenges, and by suggesting some ways forward.
This document has been written to accompany the above document. Whereas the partnership document explores WHY churches should work with People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) organizations and networks, this document focuses on HOW churches may work with PLWHA organizations and networks.

 
Related publications

Keep the promise

Keep the promise is a teaching resource on advocacy and HIV/AIDS produced by the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance (EAA). Designed to help teachers run classes on HIV and AIDS and get students motivated to take action to fight the pandemic, the booklet provides background information, of HIV and AIDS in our world.

HIV and AIDS Curriculum for Theological Education by Extension in Africa & 10 HIV and AIDS Modules

This series on Theology in the HIV and AIDS Era, consists of a distant learning curriculum and ten modules.The series editor is Musa W. Dube

Acting in Hope

Ezra Chitando calls upon African Churches to speak out and challenge the systems of oppression, so that AIDS competant churches can work towards the tranformation of death-dealing practices while strengthening life-enhancing ones. Click to download as pdf document (575 KB). Also available in print.

Living with Hope

Addressing the need for an in-depth understanding and analysis of how Churches in Africa are living with the epidemic of HIV/AIDS, this book insists that the church must accompany people and communities living with HIV and AIDS on their journeys of faith. Click to download as pdf document (543 KB). Also available in print.