What is HIV and AIDS?

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Time Activity
Section 7: What is mainstreaming?
Activity 7.1: What is mainstreaming?
Activity Outline
Objective: At the end of this activity, participants should be able to understand the concept
of mainstreaming.
Duration/Timing: 60 minutes
Materials/Resources: Pieces of paper with different statements, whiteboard
or large area of the floor, 3 signs (mainstreaming, integration and HIV-focused
work).
10 minutes 1. Explain to participants the definitions of HIV-focused work, integration
and mainstreaming. Explain that HIV focused work involves prevention,
treatment and care, for example a VCT centre. Integration involves
including elements of HIV work such as awareness activities for World
AIDS Day but these activities are one-off. HIV Mainstreaming is a
concept whereby an organisation looks at its structures and projects from
a different perspective and makes any necessary changes in light of the
HIV and AIDS epidemic.
15 minutes 2. Divide into smaller groups. Give each group a set of statements and ask
them to decide whether the statements relate to HIV-focused work,
integration or HIV mainstreaming. Give the group 15 minutes to discuss
depending on number of statements given to each group.
20 minutes 3. Bring the group back together and ask each group in turn to put their
statements under the correct heading.
4. Ask the rest of the group if they agree or disagree and why. Ask the
original group to explain their decision. Make any necessary corrections,
explaining why in the process. Continue until all statements are on the
board/floor.
15 minutes 5. Summary – explain the concept of mainstreaming can be confusing. It is
important to know the difference and understand that the organisation’s
core work does not change. Instead it begins to look at things from
another perspective. HIV mainstreaming begins with individuals. We
must first examine our own attitudes and behaviours in relation to HIV
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