Ei-iE

Maria Teresa Cabrera is a member of the EI Executive Board, President of the ADP (Dominican Association of Teachers) and the Coordinator of the ADP EFAIDS Programme. The ADP together with teacher unions FAPROUASD and ANPROTEC have just begun implementing EFAIDS activities

1. How would you describe the current situation concerning HIV and AIDS in the Dominican Republic?

The Dominican Republic has not escaped the worldwide phenomenon of increasing HIV infection levels. Official government statistics put the number of people living with HIV and AIDS at 16,977. However UNAIDS informs us that the pandemic is the principal cause of mortality among women of reproductive age and that 61,000 women are currently living with HIV and AIDS. 79% of those infected are aged between 15 and 44, 19% between 15 and 24 and 51% of the total are women.

2. What was the main motivation behind the decision of your unions to join the EFAIDS Programme?

The main motivation comes from an understanding that education can act as a social vaccine to stop the spread of the pandemic, whilst the world is searching for a medical one. Second, because in the Dominical Republic, the level of discussion on issues related to sexual relations is very limited. The Catholic Church has always resisted dealing with this topic. As a result, information is fairly scant. Third, the most affected groupings in society are women and youths. Fourth, education workers have the possibility to influence prevention, to get through to families, children and youths. Fifth, because we as teachers cannot be indifferent in the face of a problem which has become a tragedy. To all of the above, we would add that we were very much motivated by the encouragement we got from EI.

3. What are the main activities which you are working on within the framework of the EFAIDS Programme and what do you hope to achieve with them?

Up until December, we were carrying out research work via a survey which assessed the knowledge levels and attitudes of teachers with respect to HIV and AIDS. The main intention here was to offer support to the colleagues heading up the teachers’ network on HIV prevention. Other activities include working on a campaign which is starting to communicate messages on HIV and AIDS via the radio and television. This campaign includes a national day of mobilisation within the education community involving civil organisations, rural communities etc. We are also organising workshops to give capacities to the members of the teachers’ network. Finally, we are working with the media to further the objectives of the programme.