GIPA/MIPA is a principle that aims to involve people living with HIV in decision-making processes that affect their lives and enhance the effectiveness of the AIDS response. People living with HIV have expertise from experiencing vulnerability to HIV and managing HIV-related illnesses. They can play important roles in advocacy, campaigns, policy-making, leadership, treatment programs, and personal health. Involving people living with HIV in these areas can help ensure community well-being, treatment scale-up, and universal access to HIV services.

1. Supporting Sustainable Adherence to HIV Prevention, Care & TreatmentICAP Technical WorkshopOctober 19-22, 2009Kigali, RwandaGIPAGreater Involvement of People Living with HIV/AIDSMIPAMeaningful Involvement of People Living with HIV/AIDSRobert Remien, PhD; Professor of Clinical PsychologyMonday, October 19, 2009

2. What is GIPA/MIPA?It is a principle that aims to realize the rights and responsibilities of people living with HIV, including their right to self-determination and participation in decision-making processes that affect their lives.In these efforts, GIPA/MIPA also aims to enhance the quality and effectiveness of the AIDS response, as countries scale up their national AIDS responses to achieve the goal of universal access to prevention, treatment, care and support services.

3. Why is GIPA/MIPA important?PLWHA have directly experienced factors that make people vulnerable to HIV infection, and HIV-related illnesses and the strategies for managing them; thus they have expertise.When communities are proactively involved in ensuring their own well-being, success is more likely – for themselves and their peers.

4. Roles for PLWHAAdvocacyCampaigns & public speakingPolicy-making processLeadership and support (networking)Treatment roll-out and preparednessProgram development & implementationPersonal involvement in their own health

5. AdvocacyInclusion in the research agendaLaw reformAccess to services: treatment, care, and supportResource mobilization

6. Campaign & Public SpeakingIncrease visibilitySupport for others who are isolatedPeer educationReduce stigma

7. Policy MakingPeople living with HIV participating in the development and monitoring of HIV-related policies at all levels

8. Leadership & SupportPeople living with HIV can provide leadership: HIV support groups or networks seeking external resources encouraging participation of new members, or simply participating by sharing their experiences with others

9. Treatment Rollout & PreparednessPeople living with HIV support treatment roll-out through educating others on treatment options, side effects and adherence, and can be involved as home-based and community health-care workers“Peer Education” “Peer Support”

10. Program Development & ImplementationPeople living with HIV can provide knowledge and skills towards universal access through participation in the governance of global organizations such as UNAIDS and the Global Fund and in the choice, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of prevention, treatment, care and support programs, and research.“Advisory Boards” and other Meaningful Roles to play

11. PersonalThey can take an active role in decisions about their own treatment, self education about therapies, opportunistic infections and adherence, and positive prevention.This can be taken and disseminated in their families and in their communities.As “role models”As “advocates:” information, motivation, skills, support