Bridging the Gap: IEC 4 LGBTI - Handbook

This Handbook has been developed to support organisations working with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people in southern Africa to develop effective information, education and communication (IEC) materials with a focus on HIV, sexual and reproductive health (SRH), and broader health issues.
As stated in the handbook, "being a relatively new field of programming, and because the rights of LGBTI are not legally recognised in many southern African countries, the development and dissemination of IEC materials specifically targeting LGBTI has been limited and there has been relatively little capacity strengthening, documentation or information sharing around the development of effective IEC materials targeting these important groups."
The handbook is designed to provide "important tips and suggested best practice methodology for every stage of IEC material development, from information needs analysis through to content development, pre-testing, dissemination, monitoring and evaluation - to help to ensure that IEC materials are as effective as possible, promote positive behaviour and attitude change." The handbook is intended for anyone interested in developing LGBTI-specific IEC materials such as project managers, project officers, health advocates, community-based workers, and health service providers.
It contains the following sections:

• Section 1: Planning for IEC Material Development Within an Organisational Framework
• Section 2: Information Needs Analysis and Baseline
• Section 3: Message Development
• Section 4: Material Development
• Section 5: Design and Graphics
• Section 6: Pre-testing
• Section 7: Printing and Dissemination
• Section 8: Monitoring and Evaluation

This handbook has been developed by SAfAIDS on behalf of, and with support from, COC Netherlands and Columbia University – AIDS Care and Treatment Programs (ICAP), South Africa. It's development falls under the 'Bridging the Gaps – health and rights for key populations' Programme, which is a collaboration between COC Netherlands, Aids Fonds, AFEW,GNP+ and Mainline, with financial support from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Together with almost 100 local and international organisations, the 'Bridging the Gaps' programme aims to achieve universal access to HIV and STI prevention, treatment, care and support for key populations,including sex workers, LGBTI people, men who have sex with men, and people who use drugs.