Information request for HIV/AIDS and care economy

[Guest guest]

In the next months, International Center for Research on

Women, in partnership with Horizons Project, UNIFEM and ILO is conducting a

'state-of-the-art' review of the literature relevant to the impact of HIV/AIDS

on the care economy[1] and its effects on social

and economic development. The review will be inter-disciplinary, and will explore

both theoretical and practical contributions to current knowledge. The review

will focus on the experience of Africa, but will draw on case materials from

other regions when relevant. It will explore issues and gaps as well as

identify existing models of care and support to people affected by or living

with HIV/AIDS and the social and economic costs to employers, workers,

households, and the caregivers themselves. This review is expected to inform

research which will seek to identify, support and enhance sustainable,

gender-sensitive and cost-effective responses to the provision of care for

people affected by HIV/AIDS or living with HIV/AIDS in their households and

communities. In addition, the review will be made widely available so that

other agencies may use it to inform their research and policy agendas on the

care economy.

 

We are aware, however, that the available literature can provide only a

partial view of the ‘state-of-the-art’.  We are aware that

there are committed individuals and groups working on the ground to support

PLWA and their carers, who are too busy to share their experiences with the

wider world.  We would also, therefore, like to tap this field of

expertise – to consult with these individuals and groups and to include

their perspectives and experiences in our review.

 

We would thus greatly appreciate your help. Please share with us your

references, and experiences or contact information for groups working on the

ground on HIV/AIDS care and support. We will keep you posted of the development

of our work and share our final review with you.

 

Thank you,

 

Agarwal

International Center for Research on Women

magarwal@...

 

[1] The care

economy can be understood as the social and domestic provisioning within a

household and community, usually by women family members. The reproductive

roles traditionally ascribed to women include housework, child and family care

work (care of children, the sick disabled and elderly), community service, and

organizational volunteer work. These are all productive areas of activity which

are unaccounted for in systems of national accounts.

 

 

Agarwal, MHS

Research Assistant

International Center

for Research on Women

1717 Massachusetts

Ave., NW, Suite 302

Washington DC, USA,

20036

Phone: 202-797-0007

ext. 141

Fax: 202-797-0020

magarwal@...