The Potentials of Sport as a Tool for a Rights-Based Approach to HIV/AIDS

This 13-page paper, published by International Platform on Sport and Development, explores how sport can be used as a rights-based tool that can facilitate access on the part of vulnerable youth - male and female - to HIV/AIDS information, education, care, and treatment. According to the author, sport has been identified as a new and important resource for reaching youth whose prior concerns and interests are not necessarily how to protect themselves from HIV/AIDS. The assumption is that sport can facilitate access to HIV/AIDS messages because sport is not only a favourite pastime, but is also considered to be a good way of promoting respect for diversity, tolerance, non-discrimination, and solidarity.

The paper discusses the use of sport in 4 key areas of HIV awareness:

• Breaking the taboo about sex: Experiences with sport and sexual behaviour are still very recent and it is difficult to assess their impact. However, one can refer to experiences with other youth programmes. Often, even educators have difficulties talking about sex because they are not comfortable with their own sexuality. Hence, coaches or presenters of HIV/AIDS information should become comfortable with their own sexuality in order to be able to respond honestly and frankly to young people's questions.
• HIV/AIDS and dignity: The preservation of human dignity, the recognition of the practice of sport as a human right, and the elimination of any form of discrimination are fundamental principles of Olympism. In line with these principles, the sport community has committed to changing attitudes of discrimination and stigmatisation associated with HIV/AIDS to understanding and acceptance.
• HIV/AIDS and gender: Guidelines and practical tools for promoting gender equity within the sport community as an integrated part of its commitment to fight HIV/AIDS will be essential if sport really intends to contribute to enhanced protection of women and girls from HIV/AIDS.
• HIV/AIDS and access to health care: This section outlines key questions for sport initiatives such as: how the availability of sport health services can be used to improve accessibility to HIV/AIDS counselling and care; what kinds of health referral systems can be set up; how to improve youth friendliness of sport health services; and what role the sport doctor can play in becoming a person of confidence and an HIV/AIDS resource.

The study concludes that experiences in sport and HIV/AIDS are quite recent, and that research will be needed to assess the effectiveness and the added value of sport in broadening the scope and improving the impact of HIV prevention campaigns designed for youth.