Pictures may be a helpful tool in raising awareness about HIV/AIDS. Humuliza of Tanzania and Pact in Botswana are two organizations that have introduced pictures in their HIV/AIDS prevention efforts. The pictures are used to stimulate and facilitate discussion on important issues surrounding HIV/AIDS.

Pact uses pictures to be used in group outreach sessions to stimulate discussion around behaviours which put people at risk of HIV infection. Pact uses real photographs of real people in situations which provide choices for specific behaviours. Accompanying each photograph is a list of questions for the outreach worker to ask group participants in order to stimulate discussion. These are followed by a list of "talking points" or information the outreach worker can share with participants. The picture codes also come with a set of instructions on how to best use them as an educational resource. To download these pictures, go to http://www.comminit.com/en/node/269867/38.

Humuliza, in collaboration with artist John Kilaka, has created a collection of pictures inspired by the "Tingatinga" style, a Tanzanian style of painting using images of African wild animals. By portraying animals instead of people to facilitate discussion about issues surrounding HIV/AIDS, the producers hope to reduce stigma and the reinforcement of negative stereotypes that may accompany pictures of humans. The pictures come with corresponding guidelines to encourage discussion. To download these pictures and for more information about this project, go to http://www.humuliza.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14&Itemid=69.

Does anyone have successes or challenges they would like to share about using pictures to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS? In your opinion or experience, will using pictures of real people reinforce negative stereotypes or increase stigma?

Rana Hjeltnes, New Tactics Intern