
HIV/AIDS COMMITTEE
The Barbados Defence Force (BDF) formally established its HIV Education Programme in 2002 with the aim of sensitising its members about HIV and AIDS, whilst promoting the maintenance of a healthy work environment through the protection of the well-being and physical and emotional health of all its members.
Knowing that the workplace is a strategic environment for HIV/AIDS prevention and care education, the BDF HIV Committee has been unrelenting in its drive to coordinate innovative activities that focus on:
- Halting the transmission of HIV.
- Preventing the sexual transmission of HIV through behavioural change.
- Promoting healthy living through activities that help to develop a sense of camaraderie amongst BDF employees.
Some of the key accomplishments of the BDF HIV Programme are:
- Implementing the BDF HIV Policy in 2006
- Creating the BDF HIV Programme logo in 2008.
- Coordinating the first Regional Military/Civilian HIV Conference in 2006
- Conducting annual Peer Education and Counselling seminars.
- Spearheading community sensitisation campaigns through the placement of HIV prevention messages on benches, banners and billboards in high traffic areas around BDF bases.
- Coordinating the production of the HIV/AIDS awareness theatrical play “It’s Up To Me” in 2009 (written by Carla Springer of Sayge Theatre Productions and produced by Acute Vision Incorporated).
- Expanding the BDF HIV/AIDS awareness programme model to include other organisations such as the Barbados Cadet Corps and the Royal Barbados Police Force.
- Conducting food bank drives for persons living with or impacted by HIV.