HIV/AIDS and Microfinance Systems Fact Sheet

This documents deals with the issue of HIV/AIDS and the challenge posed by it. The document details Deutsche Gesellschaft for Technische Zusammenarbeit's (GTZ) - now GIZ Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit/German Development Cooperation- response to the pandemic to prevent its further spread and mitigate its negative effects. GIZ has begun to mainstream the response to HIV/AIDS as a cross-cutting issue that needs to be addressed by all sectors.

The different sections of the fact sheet deal with the following questions:

• How does HIV/AIDS affect the microfinance sector?
• How can the microfinance sector, in particular, reduce vulnerability to HIV/AIDS and mitigate its impact?
• How might microfinance contribute to the spread of HIV or aggravate its impact?
• How can German Development Cooperation contribute to an effective response to HIV/AIDS?

The paper concludes by listing a range of approaches developed by GIZ's microfinance projects to deal with this deadly disease:

• Seeking information regarding partner country's national HIV/AIDS strategy;
• Conducting a situation analysis on how HIV/AIDS affects MFIs;
• Raising awareness for HIV/AIDS at all levels of the microfinance sector;
• Helping integrate HIV/AIDS modules with the MFI vocational training curriculum;
• Supporting MFIs in:
  • Linking clients with health service providers and other supportive organizations;
  • Connecting clients with reputable insurance companies;
  • Offering financial advice to households affected by HIV/AIDS.