Fisheries
In the last decade, it has become evident that fishermen in many developing countries are among the populations at most risk to HIV, with prevalence often many times higher than that of the general population. Among the HIV risk factors are:
1. Demographic structure with high rates of single men in sexually active age groups;
2. High rates of mobility and migration;
3. Easy availability of cash income on a regular basis, without tangible investment or savings opportunities;
4. Poverty and gender inequality marginalising women in commercial transactions, making them vulnerable to sexually exploitative relations;
5. Poor health service infrastructure and condom availability;
6. Generally poor health and hygiene status in fishing camps; and
7. Culture of risk taking and perception of low social status among many fishermen.
8. In order to decrease the HIV risk and vulnerability of seagoing personnel PHASMA is undertaking the following activites:
Advocacy for Policy Development
In order to decrease the HIV risk and vulnerability of seagoing personnel and the community that they interact with, PHAMSA facilitates the publication of comic stories that will capture the lives of migrant workers in Namibia especially around Walvis Bay. These stories will promote a greater understanding of the multi faceted dynamics of migration and the HIV vulnerability of migrant and mobile workers to the wider population of Namibia.The objective of the comic stories is to raise awareness among the general population and key stakeholders on the individual, structural and environmental causes of HIV vulnerability of migrants and mobile populations (such as lack of access to health/VCT/STI services and information, separation from families) and possibly induce action.
Research and Learning
In 2007, IOM commissioned the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) in Namibia to conduct a study into the vulnerability of fishermen to HIV in Walvis Bay, Namibia. The resulting paper Ships, Trucks and Clubs: The Dynamics of HIV Risk Behaviour in Walvis Bay analyses the challenges presented by characteristics of the commercial fishing industry. Walvis Bay is the hub of a large commercial fishing sector, and the terminus of both the Trans-Caprivi and Trans-Kalahari Highways. International and local fishermen, truck drivers, and commercial sex workers in Walvis Bay are tied into a triangle of high-risk sexual behaviour with global implications.
During periods of leave on shore in Walvis Bay foreign fishermen have casual or longer term high-risk contact with sex workers. Lack of HIV education, alcohol abuse, and communication difficulties contribute to the vulnerability of the fishermen. Local fishermen also frequently engage in sexual relations with sex workers, who are themselves vulnerable due to their poor negotiating positions with regard to condom use, poverty, language barriers, and cultural/gender practices. The study asserts that there is a clear need for more effective HIV education, which in the case of foreign truck drivers and fishermen should start at their country of origin, and be continued at sites they frequent. The study also found that although local fishermen are often the focus of HIV education, this is insufficient at present, and may be from sources they mistrust.
Regional Co-ordination and Technical Co-operation
To enable professionals and organisations working with fishing communities in response to HIV and AIDS in Africa to share experiences, knowledge and research, an International Workshop on HIV in the Fisheries sector was held in Lusaka, Zambia on 21-22 February 2006.
The workshop was co-organised by IOM, the WorldFish Center, and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) with support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA). It was co-hosted by two key institutions in the Government of Zambia, the Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives and the National AIDS Council.
The workshop had the following objectives:
1. Review and compare research findings and approaches applied in response to HIV and AIDS in fishing communities and the wider fisheries sector;
2. Identify good practice and examples for wider application;
3. Identify next steps in development and research to scale up these examples;
4. Initiate a network of practitioners in Africa for capacity building and scaling-up; and
5. Further develop approaches.
The 90 participants came from 13 countries in Africa and from various international organisations. They represented government agencies in the fisheries and health sectors, research institutions, and civil society organisations active in supporting fishing communities to respond to these challenges.
For the full Report of the Workshop please click here.
Pilot projects
In order to reduce the vulnerability of local and foreign seagoing personnel IOM, with local partners, implements projects that aim to reduce HIV incidence and impact among migrants working in the fisheries sector in:
· Walvis Bay, Namibia
· Cape Town, South Africa
