CHAMPION’s Community Engagement Model for Gender and HIV Dr. Yeronimo Mlawa Senior Program Officer EngenderHealth CHAMPION Project Lighting the Fire Below

What is CHAMPION? CHAMPION—Channeling Men’s Positive Involvement in the National HIV/AIDS Response— aims to engage men in promoting gender equity in order to reduce the vulnerability of men, women, and children to HIV. Guided by its ecological model, CHAMPION activities promote social change at individual, community, and societal levels.

CHAMPION is about gender norms transformation. I am the witness of the change CHAMPION aims to see in my community… I am respected by the community, government leaders, and peers. They even call on me to resolve marital conflicts. – George Simon, CAT Leader Kinondoni District

14 key districts in 10 regions, CHAMPION enables community partners to identify and challenge inequitable gender norms Community partners include: –Lead NGOs –Influential local leaders –Community action teams (CATs) –Field facilitators –Male and couple “Champions.” Community Engagement in CHAMPION

EngenderHealth’s Community Engagement Model Used by CHAMPION Stage 1. Develop knowledge and skills of community partners Stage 2. Support community partners to define vision, priorities, and desired results Stage 3. Support community partners to develop and implement community action plans Stage 4. Support communities to review progress and achievements and use data for decision- making

Selected Results of Capacity Strengthening through Community Engagement Strengthened skills among community partners Coordination and facilitation of outreach activities and group education by community partners with minimal supervision Improved ability to train others Increased technical capacity of community partners to address gender issues in HIV behavior change activities, especially for men: –More than 420,000 people reached in 14 key districts

Lessons Learned Local solutions solve local problems best Participatory processes are essential and time- consuming –Short-term funding and a pre-determined focus are challenges. Local ownership is the key Role of outside partner is that of facilitator and learner.

THANK YOU- ASANTE SANA