Over the period 5-6^th July, CCIHP ran a training course entitled “Gender and the prevention, care and treatment of HIV and AIDS”. The course was run as part of the Greater Involvement of People Living with HIV and AIDS (GIPA) Project and participants on the course were people living with HIV and AIDS. The aim of the course was to increase participant’s knowledge about gender related issues and their relation to the prevention of HIV and the care and treatment of people living with the virus. It aimed to improve knowledge and communication about such issues, thereby helping to tackle stigma and discrimination that thus helping to ensure greater inclusion within the community

The participants shared their powerful experiences during the course and active teaching methods used throughout the training generated much enthusiasm amongst the participants. Such a participatory approach was very much appreciated, as one participant Mrs Thanh said “I have never been on a course before that was so funny and amusing, but also made me think about gender roles and gender stereotypes how these contribute to the difficulties facing people living with HIV”. Having attended the course many of the participants felt more confident about speaking about such issues and in doing so felt they could inform the communities in which they live about such topics and thus help increase their understanding thereby reducing discrimination.

Although the course only lasted two days, it was a very happy and joyous occasion and at the end of it the participants were more confident of tackling the fear that exists within their households and community thereby shining a light through the dark storm clouds of HIV and AIDS.