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Corporate Responsibility Report 2008

Combating HIV/AIDS - Positive Action

Positive Action works with community organisations to build capacity to counter the ignorance and stigma surrounding HIV through outreach, education and advocacy. Since it was established in 1992, it has provided over $70 million, funding projects in 63 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe.

Through Positive Action, GSK has pioneered support for vulnerable communities, including men who have sex with men, intravenous drug users, sex workers, migrants, young people, orphans and vulnerable children and marginilised poor rural women - groups who have limited human rights or public voice and are thus excluded from playing a role in developing mainstream programming. It is essential to work with these groups if we expect to make a difference to this epidemic.

During 2008, we supported 18 Positive Action programmes in 21 countries. Key projects include:

• Fighting stigma and discrimination in Mexico among vulnerable sectors of the population
• Bringing HIV education to vulnerable women in India through self-help groups
• Helping communities in Asia understand and prepare for treatment programmes
• Improving access to treatment in Kenya by promoting greater understanding and involvement of communities

Update August 2009

Positive Action programmes involve grass roots organisations that are able to continue to support their communities after the projects have come to an end.

This year we were the principal sponsor of the Global Village (the community space) at the International AIDS2008 conference held in Mexico City. We also hosted community forums to allow delegates to share experience of their fight against HIV/AIDS.

Read more about Positive Action.