Policy withdrawn in 2006 | International Policy on HIV / AIDS


Preamble

In the 1980s, the world witnessed the emergence of HIV and began to appreciate the complex psychosocial difficulties presented by the Pandemic of HIV-infection and HIV-disease. As we face the 21st Century, it is becoming increasingly apparent that we must further strengthen our efforts to:

1. Prevent and limit the further spread of HIV-infection
2. Assist people affected by HIV as they deal with the complex psychosocial and economic difficulties resulting from HIV-infection.

In his address to the 1988 International Federation of Social Workers' Symposium in Stockholm, Dr Manuel Carballo, Chief, Social and Behavioural Research Unit of WHO, Global Programme on AIDS, highlighted the urgent need for social workers to become more actively involved in the global strategy to:

1. Prevent further spread of HIV
2. Develop locally, nationally and internationally, sensitive and non- discriminatory, policies in relation on HIV
3. Further develop and provide counselling and wide-ranging support services to people affected by HIV

IFSW recognises the challenge and socio-political implications resulting from this pandemic. In view of this IFSW is currently working to develop and strengthen activities in this area already being undertaken by national associations of social work.

IFSW recognises the need to formulate and develop, in conjunction with national associations of social work, an international social work strategy on HIV, and international policy and guidelines for social workers working in the area of HIV.

Social workers, by virtue of their training, their particular perspective of the individual within the family and community constellation. together with the wide range of social work employment in health and welfare settings, are uniquely well placed to play a very effective role in the global effort to deal with the HIV-epidemic and the empowerment of those affected.

WHO's Global Programme on AIDS has indicated that counselling in relation to HIV must be an integral and essential component of an overall national AIDS prevention and control programme. Adequate counselling and support services must complement national information and education strategies. Social work is seen as one of the key professions to undertake these tasks.
Policy Issue
The HIV/AIDS-pandemic is a global concern, affecting all nations and all citizens of the world. The global challenge to deal with this epidemic and the concern and respect for people with HIV and AIDS tests the core systems and values of fellow human beings and social workers. Social workers are confronted with the issue of how to maintain and strengthen human rights principles, and values in the World's efforts to eradicate the problem of HIV/AIDS.

HIV/AIDS is a potentially fatal virus and is found in all regions of the world. It is not restricted to race, sexual orientation or affected nations, nor is it affected by political or ideological stances or cultural values. Its eradication represents one of humanity's greatest challenges. It requires co-operation and comprehensive collaboration between science, governments, social institutions, the media, the professions and the general public.

Social work is done within the framework of a democratic and humanistic tradition. The fight against the HIV-epidemic must be fought in such a way as to strengthen the social and cultural acceptance of the exposed groups and the HIV-infected. One consequence of the spread of HIV in the Developing World, is the adoption of the aim to establish a more just economic world order.
Policy Statement
The IFSW policy statement is based on the International Code of Ethics for Social Workers, and on the assumption that an important way to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS is for social workers, and social work institutions and organisations to collaborate with others. We are required to maintain the rights of all people, in our community including those living with HIV/AIDS, and their families and partners, which are as follows:
  • The right to self determination
  • The right to meaningful occupation and a domicile
  • The right to good health and welfare services
  • The right to work and earn a living
  • The right to the respect and esteem of the society around them
  • The right to travel freely within and between countries
  • The right to education
  • The right to confidentiality
  • The right to protection against discrimination in all its forms
  • The right to accurate information
  • The right to pre- and post-test counselling
Background and Impact of HIV/AIDS
AIDS first came to public notice in 1981. It is thought to be caused by a virus called HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), which was discovered in 1983. The name suggests what happens in the body. The immune or defence system becomes defective, leaving the way open for infection by a series of microorganisms, which the body normally rejects.

HIV/AIDS affects different groups of people in different countries, but the main groups affected in North America, Europe and Australasia are homosexual/bisexual men, drug users who inject and haemophiliacs, whereas in certain African countries, heterosexual men and women are equally affected. Women and babies are increasingly becoming affected. In all countries, there are people affected, who contracted the virus through the receipt of blood transfusions. Since 1985 in some countries mandatory blood testing has substantially reduced this risk.

On other hand, HIV/AIDS-incidence is adversely influenced by the increasing mobility of the world's population, including tourism, professional and business travel, as well as the growing number of migrant and itinerant workers, amongst others, who, as they become affected, return home to infect their partners.

We recognise that vulnerability HIV-infection is the result of individual risk behaviour, and not the result of membership of so called risk groups.
The fact that the virus is transmitted sexually demands for all of us a change in our sexual behaviour to prevent its spread. The spread of HIV/AIDS-influences and changes inter-human relations at all levels. It appears that the pattern of diffusion of the virus strengthens existing patterns of injustice, oppression and discrimination. In parts of Africa, the socio-economic and human consequences of the epidemic are catastrophic.

The impact of HIV/AIDS on all countries has social, economic, legal, ethical, political, personal, cultural and health implications. The economic costs alone, in terms of lost productive capacity and economic contributions to society from the age group most affected (15 to 50 years olds) are enormous.
We need to highlight the impact of HIV/AIDS as it affects women, as health workers, educators, care providers, mothers and partners. In some nations and countries it is becoming increasingly impossible to provide health and social support resources and services to those affected because of rising costs and limited financing. In others, the political and spiritual will to respond is reduced because of conflicting values and beliefs. Personal costs in terms of human suffering experienced by people with HIV/AIDS and those close to them is immeasurable in monetary terms.
HIV/AIDS is, therefore, predominantly a global problem, requiring a global collaborative response, in prevention, and the provision of a wide range of economic and social resources.
Strategies for IFSW and Member Associations
The main task lies in the need to prevent and slow down the spread of HIV/AIDS, and to counteract the undesirable effects of the epidemic on the social structure, or within the general population. IFSW and its member organisations throughout the world, have a major role to play in this effort. Social work is practised within societal, geographic, spiritual and political contexts in all regions of the world. The principles upon which WHO, and leading epidemiologists all over the world base their efforts to prevent and eradicate the disease, are in accordance with the traditional values of social work. To do this, IFSW and its member associations undertake to:
  • participate in programmes to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS to unaffected groups and regions
  • counteract the use of force in the struggle to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS
  • give priority to the global implementation of comprehensive anti- discrimination policies for people affected by HIV/AIDS
  • lobby for a more equitable and just distribution of resources, services and support structures world-wide
  • develop and improve ethical and professional standards of those members involved in this endeavour
  • contribute to the systematic exchange of information on all aspects for the issue as it affects social work practice and education, and client groups
  • ensure that social workers, and social work institutions and agencies have the necessary training, education and support to maintain high standards of service to people living with HIV/AIDS
  • be involved in research, data collection and information dissemination
Strategies for Social Workers
1. To work towards the prevention of HIV/AIDS
To undertake educational programmes which inform all sections of the community about HIV/AIDS. As there is no cure, such educational programmes are one of the most crucial contributions.
Where there are gaps in social work resources, to train and empower others to provide adequate services.

2. To confront and deal with fears, attitudes and prejudices towards AIDS, both amongst social workers and the general public, and
To encourage examination of biases towards sexual orientation and understand and accept the variety of sexual practices and activities in which people may engage, by obtaining accurate information abut HIV/AIDS, and
To talk to other health/social workers and other persons who may have experience in this area of work, and
To obtain guidelines on infection control from specific centres in each country which deal with HIV/AIDS, or from WHO.

3. To provide a counselling and personal support service to persons with HIV/AIDS, their families, partners and significant others, which maintains confidentiality; this includes:
Counselling individuals before testing by providing information and assessment to individuals, and
Counselling individuals after testing whether the result is negative or positive by providing information on safe personal sexual behaviour and practice, and available resources, and
In the event of a positive test result, dealing with the aftermath in terms of a range of reactions which may be any of the following:
lack of understanding or total non-comprehension, cultural inter-pretations, shock, denial, grief, fear and despair of the person, and
Counselling families, partners and friends, and
Counselling and providing information to employers and dealing with workplace issues, to schools and dealing with issue in educational institutions, health care service providers and others as appropriate, and to be particularly sensitive in counselling in relation to pregnancy and child bearing, in recognition that the
HIV-virus can be transmitted from mother to child.
Note: Counselling in relation to HIV has two major aims:
1. Prevention of the spread of HIV-infection
HIV counselling should assist people to change behaviour, which places themselves and others at risk of contracting the virus. It should also motivate people who are infected to change behaviour and practices which endanger others and thus prevent further transmission of the virus.

2. Provision of support
HIV-counselling should provide support to those who are infected, and their relatives, as they deal with the emotional, social and economic consequences of infection in such a way that they can continue to lead satisfying and productive lives.

2.2 To provide practical assistance and advocacy to persons with HIV/AIDS
This requires an assessment of needs.
Provide resource information, and
Provide information on personal care and infection control, and
In the last stages of the disease, to address the palliative care needs of the person with AIDS.

2.3 To lobby for the rights of people with HIV/AIDS and guarantee that the special needs of minorities and stigmatised groups in the community are met, and to mobilise people with HIV/AIDS to fight for their rights, and for mutual support, and to take specific action to achieve this end where appropriate, and
To become involved with planners and policy makers in tackling the social problems of HIV/AIDS, and ensure that services are equitably delivered, and
To ensure that appropriate care for HIV/AIDS infected persons, their partners and children, at all stages of the disease is a priority.

2.4 To mobilise existing organisations, and develop resources where they do not exist.

Adopted by the IFSW General Meeting in Buenos Aires, Argentina,
July 1990

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page last updated on 04.09.2007