By Jasmine Owens
The beginning of what is now the HIV/AIDS epidemic began to emerge in the US during the early 1980s, with the first cases being reported among homosexual men. Almost simultaneously, cases appeared on a global scale in places such as Uganda, Tanzania, the Congo, and Rwanda (Barnett & Whiteside 28). Africa is the continent bearing the major burden of the disease. According to the UNAIDS report on the global AIDS epidemic in 2010, of the 33.3 million people living with HIV/AIDS in 2009, 22.5 million are living in Sub-Saharan Africa, with a further 460,000 in the Middle East and North Africa (22-23). No other region in the world even comes close to that number. Why is it that Africa is so severely affected by HIV/AIDS? This is a complex question that involves many factors. These may include the high levels of poverty throughout Africa, its ongoing history of conflict and political strife, and the stereotypes and perceptions associated with the disease.
Therefore, what is being done to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS in Africa, and who are the actors at the front lines? Many are international NGOs who partner or work closely with African community based organizations and governments. These include the African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF), the Canada Africa Partnership on AIDS (CAP AIDS), and AVERT. These are just a few of the countless organizations that are constantly engaging in the difficult battle against HIV/AIDS in Africa. The work of these NGOs is similar in that they emphasize the importance of local and community based initiatives regarding the HIV/AIDS epidemic; however, they each portray distinct path towards that goal. Whether it be, forging partnerships, promoting gender equality, or advocating for education and cooperation, these organizations owe much of their success to their local, community, and grassroots strategies towards HIV/AIDS elimination.
