What is GIPA?

GIPA means two important things:

    Recognizing the important contribution people infected or affected by HIVAIDS can make in the response to the epidemic

    Creating space within society for their involvement and active participation in all aspects of that response.

Historical Overview

    In 1993, a charismatic group of persons infected by HIV/AIDS formed NAPHAM and openly gave testimonies of their HIV positive sero status like pioneers Philly Lutaaya and TASO in Uganda, and Magic Johnson in the USA

    NAPHAM members had inspiration from a leading founder, Ms. Winnie Chikafumbwa, who had been encouraged by her participation at an overseas HIV/AIDS conference

    NAPHAM slowly won the recognition of both Malawi Government and the donor community

Piloting GIPA – Malawi & Zambia

    In 1996, following a consultative process in 1995 to employ HIV-infected individuals in the insurance sector, a final outcome was a project document entitled “UNV project to support people living with HIV and AIDS” was approved with funding from the Special Voluntary Fund (SVF) and UNDP

    Two countries, Malawi and Zambia, were selected to implement a two-year pilot project to test the national United Nations Volunteer (NUNV) modality as a possible mechanism for enhancing GIPA in the national response

    The Project was launched in the 2nd quarter of 1997 with technical and financial support from UNAIDS and UNDP Regional Project on HIV and Development for sub-Sahara Africa which is based in Pretoria, South Africa.

Pilot Phase 1997-2001