Executive Summary

Project Promote is a condom distribution program that aims to support and strengthen the government’s response to HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), by providing access to condoms in areas of society traditionally not reached by the Department of Health. The Project was developed as a partnership between the South African Business Coalition Against HIV/AIDS (SABCOHA), the National Department of Health, and a variety of private sector companies: Prestige and Fidelity Supercare, two of the South Africa’s biggest contract-cleaning companies; and hygiene products suppliers Steiner Group (sister company of Prestige) and BidAir. The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is also a key funding partner supporting the initiative. The project aims to provide contract cleaners as well as the general public with consistent access to condoms, to strengthen public-private partnerships for condom distribution, and to provide a monitoring and evaluation system for the accessibility and uptake of condoms. In addition to condom distribution Project Promote has provided education and information support to all private sector partners, who have in turn trained over 5,000 contract cleaners in basic HIV/AIDS awareness and information.

Company Overview

SABCOHA was formed in 1997 in response to a growing perception of the need for cohesive business action against HIV/AIDS. SABCOHA’s strategic goal is to mobilize and empower businesses in South Africa to take effective action on HIV/AIDS in the workplace and beyond. The organization’s core activities include: researching, developing and sharing best practice models; pioneering new business initiatives; communicating key information; and lobbying for change.