Ewa Björling presented prize for work against HIV/AIDS in Kenya
On 6 December, Minister for Trade Ewa Björling presented the SWHAP Achievement Award, which this year goes to Kenyan company Raffia Bags for its successful and sustainable workplace HIV/AIDS programme.
"It feels both proper and meaningful to award this prize to a company that has so successfully taken part in the struggle against HIV/AIDS and its stigmatising effects," says Ewa Björling.
For several years, Raffia Bags in Kenya, which is owned by Swedfund, has been carrying out a successful workplace programme through its participation in the Swedish Workplace HIV/AIDS programme (SWHAP). Raffia Bags has supported employees who are HIV-positive and has prevented others from becoming infected by the virus.
SWHAP is a long-term initiative for dealing with HIV and AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa. It currently supports some 90 workplace HIV programmes in ten sub-Saharan countries. The programme was launched in 2004 jointly by the International Council of Swedish Industry and IF Metall. The main purpose of SWHAP is to support companies and employees so as to prevent the further spread of HIV and reduce the impact of the pandemic at Swedish-related workplaces. SWHAP is funded by Sida and NORAD.
"It feels both proper and meaningful to award this prize to a company that has so successfully taken part in the struggle against HIV/AIDS and its stigmatising effects. I hope that many others follow the good example set by Raffia Bags," says Minister for Trade Ewa Björling.
