In GIZ’s view, HIV/AIDS interventions at the workplace are just as comprehensive as HIV/AIDS programmes designed for the general population. Central to both are prevention and treatment. Information, education and communication – all part of prevention – are necessary to keep the level of new infections stable or to even reduce it. The treatment of opportunistic HIV infections and therapy using anti-retroviral drugs (ARV) give hope to those who have to live with HIV/AIDS.

However, the private sector can do even more. Companies can influence stigma and discrimination at the workplace by implementing supportive human resource management and policies. Since most companies are well embedded in their surrounding communities, some of the activities they offer to their employees can find their way into these communities. Above all, the life of an employee is only partly influenced by his or her workplace - family and friends still play a major role.

The struggle against HIV needs to be seen from a long-term perspective. It currently takes roughly one decade in developing countries between contracting HIV and dying from AIDS. To monitor process and impact, basic data are necessary as well as appropriate indicators for development and change. Based on these baseline studies, the planning team can tailor prevention and treatment measures according to a company’s capacities and requirements.

For companies and business associations, long-term planning means that they have to allocate their own personnel to and budget for an HIV/AIDS program. Promoting these sustainable structures is, therefore, part of the GIZ approach. GIZ cooperates in the field of HIV/AIDS in the workplace closely with other German, international and national partners.