Praxis Paper 24. Looking After Number One: Donor support for HIV and AIDS in the workplace

This paper synthesises the findings from a six-country research project looking at the workplace responses to HIV of 50 international agencies – bilateral, multilateral and NGOs – working in India, Malawi, Uganda, Kenya, Burundi and Ghana.

The research showed that international donor agencies are responding positively to the threat of HIV in their own workplaces. They support a broad health and well-being approach, emphasising testing and treatment. The majority admitted, however, that they do significantly less for their partners. This inconsistency raises questions about donor obligations, responsibilities and values. Moreover, it may undermine the long-term effectiveness and sustainability of the development work they support.

The paper outlines nine key recommendations for donors’ support for HIV in the workplace responses, both within their own organisations and in their partners.