HIV/AIDS Risk Management

This report gathers the work produced during the ‘"AfriCap" workshop held in Nairobi, Kenya, to discuss the elaboration of a ‘Code of Conduct for microfinance institutions (MFIs) in the risk management of HIV/AIDS. The report also provides a work plan, comprising the activities leading to the final conference planned in April 2006.

The report states that the three task force groups in the workshop discussed:

• Intervention areas for microfinance institutions (MFIs);
• Health linkages;
• Broad principles for MFIs, such as:
  • Governance and accountability;
  • Non-discrimination;
  • Confidentiality;
  • Sustainability;
  • Responsibility for education and awareness raising;
  • Promoting partnerships;
  • Monitoring and assessment;
  • Promoting appropriate products.

It also presents the following workshop outcomes:

• There was a consensus on combining HIV/AIDS with general health issues;
• The ‘AfriCap initiative must be used as a best practice for the industry;
• Microfinance has the opportunity to deal with this issue;
• HIV/AIDS and health are risks that should be dealt with as any other risk;
• There is a need for MFIs, donors, investors, to get involved;
• There is a need to legitimate the initiative and widen the tool.

The report concludes by discussing:

• Work to be done in the future;
• Overall activities;
• Work plans;
• Proposal for a guide book.