Using+peer-led+community+mobilization+and+media+advocacy+to+aid+HIV+prevention+and+economic+stability+with+former+sex+workers+and+orphans+and+vulnerable+children+in+Nairobi,+Kenya

**Using peer-led community mobilization and media advocacy to aid HIV prevention and economic stability with former sex workers and orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs) in Nairobi, Kenya** Teresa Mastin, Associate Professor of Communication, DePaul University [tmastin@depaul.edu] Alexandra Murphy, Associate Professor of Communication, DePaul University [amurphy1@depaul.edu] Andrew Riplinger, International Programs Coordinator, Adolescent Community Health Research Group, DePaul University [ariplin@depaul.edu] Elizabeth N. Ngugi, Director, Center for HIV Prevention and Research, University of Nairobi [Engugi@csrtkenya.org]



**Keywords:** Peer-led community mobilization, sex workers, Kenya, media advocacy

**Track:** Community partnerships and reciprocity

**Format:** Research paper

**Date & time:** Friday, 10:50 – 12:00 **Location:** Salon 1

**Summary:** This study describes a partnership between the Kenya Voluntary Women Rehabilitation Centre (K-VOWRC) and three DePaul University faculty and staff. The team’s primary goal is to enhance the health and economic quality of life of former sex workers and OVCs. Combining the processes of peer-led community mobilization and media advocacy, the team is working to strengthen K-VOWRC’s existing infrastructure, gain Kenyan community and public policy support, and secure funds to support existing and proposed programs.


 * The first stage of this project is to catalog in-depth perceptions of five groups based in Nairobi: 1) K-VOWRC clients who are former sex workers; 2) women who suffered violence during the 2008-2009 Kenyan election unrest; 3) K-VOWRC child sex worker clients (defined as under 18, hereafter called “mature minors”); 4) AIDS orphans and vulnerable children (both girls and boys); and 5) media representatives. A need exists to gain an in-depth understanding of both the victimized groups and the media’s perceptions regarding the health and economic needs of the victimized groups because they will be the key publics involved in peer-led, i.e., victim-led, community mobilization and media advocacy efforts designed to enhance the health and economic conditions of some of Kenya’s most vulnerable people, many of whom are women. ||

Focus groups and in-depth interviews were the chosen methodologies because they provide the formers sex workers and OVCs with an opportunity to be involved, from the very beginning, with helping shape interventions programs designed to enhance their health and economic quality of life. The information collected will provide insight regarding the lives of key publics and regarding how Kenyan media representatives perceive their role as advocates for these victimized groups. It will be used to develop the most appropriate peer-led community mobilization and media advocacy materials for each of the five groups.

**References:** There were no references provided within this proposal.

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