Gambia, The - Community-based Response to HIV/AIDS - Lessons Learned from BAFROW

Abstract

Foundation for Research on Women's Health, Productivity and the Environment (BAFROW) is a local women's Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) in The Gambia that is considered an example of best practice for its holistic and community-based approach to the promotion of healthy behavior, women's activities and the fight against HIV/AIDS. A knowledge and learning team from the Africa region's quality and knowledge department visited the NGO in January 2003 and the BAFROW team shared the lessons learned, the challenges encountered and the successes they have encountered thus far. The debriefings (video-taped open-ended interviews) on which this article is based, included many prominent members and leaders of local NGOs and HIV/AIDS projects.