Mapping the Future of HIV/AIDS, Security and Conflict in Africa
December 10th, 2005Academic/NGO Seminar: Mapping the Future of HIV/AIDS, Security and Conflict in Africa
On December 6 2005, GAIN partners Justice Africa and the Conflict, Security and Development Group of the International Policy Institute, together with the research centre LSEAIDS, held a one-day research seminar on the issues of HIV/AIDS, security and conflict in Africa. The seminar, which was attended by post-graduate students, academics and development professionals, touched on the various differing interpretations and approaches to this new and emerging area of analysis. HIV/AIDS, security and conflict is an important area of enquiry; but one around which many generalisations and factual inaccuracies lie. A number of areas need further analysis, and were touched on during the day. First, what is the definable relationship between HIV/AIDS and conflict? Arguments that causal relationships exist between HIV/AIDS and violence, and that these are universal, are very tenuous and very often based on critical assumptions that remain unquestioned or unaddressed. Nevertheless, key aspects related to violent conflict, and anecdotal evidence from conflicts in zones of high HIV infection, shows that a number of factors related to conflict and AIDS are becoming important, while acknowledging that no universal relationships between violence and AIDS are likely to emerge. These would include, broadly, the impact of violent conflict on the maintenance of HIV/AIDS monitoring and surveillance regimes; the impact of violent conflict on the allocation of medical resources; the impact of HIV/AIDS on refugee and displaced populations; the impact of HIV/AIDS on armed forces, including combatants and peacekeepers; the impact of HIV/AIDS on the application of international law and order; and the impact of HIV/AIDS on women in zones of conflict.
A full report is available in the GAIN Issues Brief No. 7
July 1st, 2006 at 3:04 pm
pls i wish to comment GAIN for their job well done , the issue of this dreaded pandemic is so pelectic and ravaging like wild fire in the continent of africa,
aids has killed million of women children and youths, youths who would have grown up to become future leadersof this dilapidated continent africa, many at times i begin to ask mama africa bigs questions,
the fact is taht most africa leaders have not realise the catalymistic effect of aids and it effect on the continent neither have the realise the intergernerational effects of ths virus,the have diverted all funds meant for the fight against aids in africa,
poverty has become another problem, maladministrarion,injustice,badgovernmental policy, issues of leadership,
corruption,conflict and insecurity , in equality, all this are conponent and factors responsible for the spread of the virus in africa
and something must be done JUSTICE AFRICA I COMMEND U
LEKAM EMMANUEL , STUDENT DEPT OF SOCIAL WORKS FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCI, UNIVERSITY OF CALABAR, NIGERIA.PEER HEALTH EDUCATOR ON HIV AIDS AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH , EX SPEAKER NIGERIAN YOUTH ASSEMBLY,MEMBER AFRICAN YOUTH ALLIANCE.WRITER ,MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER, CRITIC AND YOUTH ACTIVIST.