Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe—Fairtrade Africa is assisting

HIV and other diseases such as tuberculosis (TB) can act as a barrier to African success in global trade system by impeding workers’ ability to work due to ill-health. People with HIV also need additional resources to afford HIV treatment and to access healthcare for themselves and their families.

Through its international standards, including those related to health, worker ownership, empowerment and job creation, Fairtrade is assisting farm workers and their families to combat the negative effects of HIV and TB in 25 African countries.

Fairtrade is a strategy for poverty alleviation and sustainable development which connects consumers and producers. Its purpose is to create opportunities for agricultural producers and workers who have been economically disadvantaged or marginalized by the conventional trading system.

Two-thirds of the approximately 33 million HIV-infected people globally reside in Africa’s resource-constrained countries. Hence, access to healthcare for those living in rural areas is especially challenging due to long working hours and distance to health care facilities.

“Farmers receive a financial premium which is used for social investment projects. Some farms in the region use this to pay for healthcare workers and health facilities on the farm, or transport to the nearest clinic,” says Marcela Guerrero Casas, Policy and Advocacy Manager at Fairtrade Africa.

Fairtrade labour standards also protect HIV-positive workers, or those who are ill for prolonged periods, from discrimination and ensures job security. This encourages workers to know their health status and access treatment.

Fairtrade Africa is currently carrying out research to examine the impact of Fairtrade in Africa (predominantly in South Africa) on levels of HIV awareness, testing and access to treatment. The finding will inform new measures to address HIV and TB in Fairtrade farms.

“Producers in Africa are acutely aware of how HIV/AIDS can impact on their ability to compete in the global market and are looking for ways to utilise the potential of the Fairtrade system to help deal with the problem in whatever way is most effective,” says Guerrero Casas. Producers are meeting in Zimbabwe this week to discuss ‘sustainable livelihoods’, including the impact of HIV/AIDS and TB.

Fairtrade offers producers a better financial deal and improved terms of trade. This allows them the opportunity to improve their lives and plan for their future. Through buying products displaying the international FAIRTRADE Mark, Fairtrade offers consumers a powerful way to reduce poverty through their every day shopping.

ENDS

For more information, see http://www.fairtradeafrica.net/ or contact Marcela Guerrero Casas on m.guerrero@fairtradeafrica.net