Zimbabwe Sexual and Reproductive Health Sign Language Dictionary

The HIV and AIDS Management and Support Organization (THAMASO-ZIMBABWE), in collaboration with the Disability HIV & AIDS Trust (DHAT), realized the existence of a knowledge gap on HIV and AIDS and sexual and reproduction health and rights (SRHR), among the deaf communities of Zimbabwe. The absence of signs for many of the technical terms related to HIV and SRHR has created serious disadvantages for
hearing impaired people and increased their vulnerability to HIV, and made it difficult for them to claim their sexual and reproductive health and rights. Consequently, THAMASO-ZIMBABWE and DHAT decided to produce a Dictionary for people with hearing impairments that includes HIV and SRHR related signs.

The Dictionary includes an illustrated guide to signing and signing for individual letters, along with illustrations and descriptions for common words and for those new HIV/SRHR signs that have been developed, making it an invaluable reference for both those with hearing impairments and those without hearing challenges. The dictionary is suitable for use in educational institutions (schools, colleges and universities) as well as in health institutions such as hospitals, clinics and VCT centres. Counsellors and all staff working directly and indirectly in the HIV and SRHR sectors will find the dictionary most useful.

The production of the dictionary was sponsored by the Open Society for Southern Africa (OSISA) and the Southern Africa HIV and AIDS Information Dissemination Service (SAFAIDS). In respecting the adage “nothing for us without us” people with hearing impairments, drawn from all the provinces of Zimbabwe, developed this dictionary. We are proud of those who represented the deaf community in producing meaningful and helpful signs that will go a long way in helping those with hearing impairments and the nation at large to communicate on HIV and SRHR in a way that has previously been impossible.

THAMASO-ZIMBABWE and DHAT wish to express their gratitude to OSISA, SAFAIDS, the National AIDS Council, the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare, Ministry of Education, Sports, Arts and Culture, the National Council for the Hard of Hearing, the Zimbabwe National Association of the Deaf, the Zimbabwe Open University and the University of Zimbabwe, for their contributions.

Young People’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Information and Services Advocacy (YPISA) SRHR Champions Flipchart for Community Sessions

YPISA

This Flipchart forms part of SAfAIDS’ Young People’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Information and Services Advocacy (YPISA) resource kit. YPISA is a set of initiatives designed to train and empower young people on sexual and reproductive health and rights and HIV services and to become champions, for adolescent sexual and reproductive health rights in their communities.

The YPISA Resource Kit consists of a Training Manual for training young people, caregivers and service providers and a Flipchart for use by the sexual and reproductive health and rights champions to train their peers.

SRHR champions are also provided with an identity badge, a notebook and pen, and a referral slip book, so that they can refer young people to the relevant service providers for further assistance.

Note for SRHR Champion - not all young people are alike. It is important to think about the individuals you are speaking to and consider their key health information needs. You need to consider the range of issues they may have about their sexual and reproductive health and select which sections of the Flipchart to spend more time on.

Young 4 Real: Sexual reproductive health (SRH) materials for young people

For good sexual and reproductive health (SRH, young people need the knowledge, ability and services to make positive, informed, safe and responsible decisions about sex and sexuality. These leaflets and posters offer information and suggestions to help youth on sexual and reproductive health and related services.