Mini Pocket Guide of Messages of HOPE by religious leaders to

Christians

HIV testing, ART, reduction of stigma and discrimination and

COVID-19

Produced by: USAID/PEPFAR Faith based Retention and Adherence Project, Ethiopia

Inter religious council of Ethiopia (IRCE)

June 2021.

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Contents
1. Section One- INTRODUCTION................................................................................................3
The purpose of the Guide..............................................................................................................3
Topics covered by the guide:.........................................................................................................3
Focus areas of topics:....................................................................................................................3
How to Use this Guide..................................................................................................................3
2. Section Two- HIV/AIDS Epidemic summary..............................................................................4
Global.........................................................................................................................................4
Ethiopia.......................................................................................................................................4
3. Section Three- Roles of Religious Leaders in reaching HIV/AIDS messages to the public...............4
4. Section Four- Basics of HIV/AIDS.............................................................................................5
Facts about HIV/AIDS..................................................................................................................5
Challenges to HIV/AIDS...............................................................................................................6
5. Section Five- HIV Testing.........................................................................................................7
Facts about HIV testing.................................................................................................................7
Challenges to HIV testing..............................................................................................................7
Messages on HIV testing...............................................................................................................7
6. Section Six- ART (Anti-retroviral treatment)-Retention and Adherence.........................................8
The Facts about ART....................................................................................................................8
The Challenges to ART.................................................................................................................9
Messages for ART Initiation........................................................................................................10
Messages for ART Retention and Adherence................................................................................10
7. Section Seven- Reduction of HIV/AIDS related stigma and discrimination..................................11
The Facts about HIV/AIDS related stigma and discrimination........................................................11
The Challenges to HIV/AIDS related stigma and discrimination.....................................................11
Messages for HIV/AIDS related stigma and discrimination............................................................12
8. Section Eight- Corona Virus Disease-19 (COVID-19)................................................................12
The Facts about COVID-19.........................................................................................................12
The Challenges to COVID-19......................................................................................................13
Messages for COVID-19.............................................................................................................13
References.....................................................................................................................................14

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 1. Section One- INTRODUCTION
The purpose of the Guide
The purpose of the guide is to serve as a source of information to religious leaders. It will also
help as a teaching tool and standardize messages delivered by religious leaders to their followers.
The manual is designed to engage different groups of religious members; men and boys, Women
and girls on HIV issues by giving them information and HOPE messages on key HIV topics
(HIV testing, treatment (adherence and retention), reduction of stigma and discrimination)
together with supporting verses from the Holy Bible. Different groups of individuals and experts
have participated and contributed in the development of the messages of hope including,
religious leaders, theologians, people living with HIV and experts from ministry of health and
federal HIV/AIDS prevention and control office.

Topics covered by the guide:

1. HIV/AIDS epidemic summary
2. HIV testing
3. ART (anti-retroviral therapy-retention and adherence)
4. Reduction of stigma and discrimination
5. COVID-19 and HIV/AIDS

Focus areas of topics:

• Facts
• Challenges and
• Messages for men, boys, women and girls

How to Use this Guide

Religious fathers can incorporate the messages:-
 Into sermons and church teaching settings for religious gatherings (Sunday/Saturday prayers,
etc.).
 While conducting group discussions;
• During special sermons or while making discussions with specific groups like boys, girls,
women and men.
 While conducting one to one counseling.
Religious institutions can also print the messages of HOPE or extracts from the material and
disseminate using any media preferable to them (social media, t-shirts, TV adverts, posters,
songs, plays, etc.).

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 2. Section Two- HIV/AIDS Epidemic summary
Global
According to UNAIDS report, in 2019
 38 million people were living with HIV;
o 36.2 million are adults >15 years and
o 1.8 million are children (0–14 years),
 1.7 million people are newly infected with HIV,
 690 000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses,
32.7 million Died from AIDS related illness since the start of the epidemic (UNAIDS FACT SHEET
2019)

Ethiopia
 Number of people living with HIV 710,000
 Number of women (15+) living with HIV 400,000
 Number of deaths due to HIV 20,000
Clients on antiretroviral therapy (ART)
 Reported number of people receiving ART 420 000
 ART coverage 59%
 Reported number of children receiving ART 21700
 ART coverage (children, 0-14 years) 35%

3. Section Three- Roles of Religious Leaders in reaching HIV/AIDS

messages to the public
Religious leaders have important roles to play in influencing the behaviors of men and boys,
women and girls and reaching messages that will help them take required actions.

“...It is by my deeds that I will show you my faith.”— Holy Bible, James 2:18, Samuel 9:9-10,

Ephesians 5:14-16, Galatians 3:28Proverbs 12:17, Revelations 3:11, Romans 13:11

HIV testing
 Influence our followers through both our words and actions.
 Encourage people to talk openly about HIV/AIDS and related issues, by breaking the
silence on the importance of HIV testing and treatment.
 Encourage everyone to go for an HIV test…Remind them not to delay.
 Support individuals to go for HIV test by facilitating social dialogue and linkage with
health facility.
 Aware their constituents about the benefit of HIV testing
 Encourage and advise followers to get tested for HIV before marriage

Anti-Retroviral Therapy/ART

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  Support the spiritual and emotional healing that is such an important part of care for a
person living with HIV.
 Help men and boys or women and girls understand the importance of starting treatment
right away.
 Encourage HIV-positive clients to take antiretroviral drugs (ARVs).
 Assure them that seeking treatment is not a sign of weakness. Rather, it is a courageous
act—and necessary to care for and protect their loved ones.
 Support treatment adherence and encourage our congregants to:
o Start treatment right away if they test HIV positive.
o Stay on treatment, even when they feel healthy.
o Continue taking their ART medication, even if they are taking Holy water or
prayed for. 1 Timothy 5:23, Galatians 6:9, Ezekiel 33:6

Reduction of stigma and discrimination

 Share important information to dispel fears and provide hope.
 Provide reassurance and encouragement by talking with them about their concerns.
 Reassure HIV positive individuals that we do not judge them for being HIV positive or
see their condition as something they should be ashamed of, or as a punishment from God.
 Provide valuable psychological support and comfort to people with HIV and their
families.
 Encourage non-stigmatizing behaviors to HIV positive individuals and their families.
 Show others that they do not need to be afraid of testing by getting tested for HIV,

4. Section Four- Basics of HIV/AIDS

Facts about HIV/AIDS
What is HIV?
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks cells that help the body fight
infection, making a person more vulnerable to other infections and diseases. It is spread by
contact with certain bodily fluids of a person with HIV, most commonly during unprotected sex
and sex without HIV medicine to prevent or treat HIV, or through sharing sharp instruments.
What is AIDS?
AIDS is the late stage of HIV infection that occurs when the body’s immune system is badly
damaged because of the virus.

In recent times, most people with HIV do not develop AIDS because taking HIV medicine every
day as prescribed stops the progression of the disease.

A person with HIV is considered to have progressed to AIDS when:

 The number of their CD4 cells falls below 200 cells per cubic millimeter of blood (200
cells/mm3). (In someone with a healthy immune system, CD4 counts are between 500 and
1,600 cells/mm3.) OR

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 They develop one or more opportunistic infections regardless of their CD4 count.
Without HIV medicine, people with AIDS typically survive about 3 years. Once someone has a
dangerous opportunistic illness, life expectancy without treatment falls to about 1 year. HIV
medicine can still help people at this stage of HIV infection, and it can even be lifesaving. But
people who start ART soon after they get HIV experience more benefits—that’s why HIV testing
is so important.
How is HIV transmitted?
HIV is transmitted through:
 Unprotected penetrative sex with an HIV positive person
 Blood transfusion with contaminated blood
 By using contaminated syringes, needles or other sharp instruments
 From an infected mother to her child during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding
How can one protect himself from HIV?
The best forms of prevention against sexual transmission of HIV continue to be:
 HIV testing—so that you know your own HIV status and your partner’s too.
 Antiretroviral therapy for people who have HIV, to protect their health and prevent
transmitting the virus to their sexual partners. People living with HIV who take HIV
medication daily as prescribed and get and keep an undetectable viral load have effectively
no risk of sexually transmitting HIV to their HIV-negative partners. This is called treatment
as prevention.
 Choosing less risky sexual behaviors (abstinence or be faithful prevention methods) HIV is
mainly spread by having sex without taking medicines to prevent or treat HIV.
 Reducing the number of people you have sex with.
 Post-exposure prophylaxis, or PEP, meaning taking antiretroviral medicines very soon after
being potentially exposed to HIV to prevent becoming infected.

Challenges to HIV/AIDS
 Too few people with HIV are aware of their infection
 Many people with HIV do not receive ongoing treatment
 Diverse populations need equal access to prevention information and tools
 Disparities in HIV rates are fueled by social and economic inequities
 Limited resources for HIV prevention
 Many people have become complacent about HIV

Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is
HIV Testing

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 5. Section Five- HIV Testing
Facts about HIV testing
 An HIV test is the only way to know your HIV status; you cannot tell someone’s HIV
status by looking.
 When people know their HIV status, they have powerful information they can use to
take care of themselves
 The benefits of treatment cannot be realized if people do not know whether they have
HIV.
 If someone tests negative, there are more resources available today to prevent HIV
than ever before.

Challenges to HIV testing

 Fear of stigma and discrimination
 Inadequate user friendly service at health facility
 Poor counseling service and inadequate trained health service providers
 Quality of HIV testing services
 Inadequate HIV targeted testing services

Messages on HIV testing

Men and Boys
Men and boys face many personal barriers to obtaining HIV Testing.
Many men and boys… delay or avoid HIV testing
 Because the fear that finding out they have HIV will keep them from providing for their
families; causes them to be seen as weak, sick, or sinful; or cause their partners to leave
them.
 They have fears due to risk practices in their lives
 Hence, they wait until they feel sick to seek HIV testing
Women and Girls
Women and Girls face many personal barriers to obtaining HIV Testing.
Many women and girls… delay or avoid HIV testing
 Because they fear that finding out they have HIV will keep them from providing for their
families; causes them to be seen as weak, sick, or sinful; or cause their partners to leave
them
 They also fear of social norms
 They lack freedom to take testing
 And wait until they feel sick to seek HIV testing
For Men and Boys
 Get tested! Plan your life. Stay strong and healthy for your family. Ecclesiastes 9:11
 Real men celebrate health in body and soul! Go for an HIV test. Genesis 1:26, Genesis
1:27, 1, Corinthians 10:31

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  Do not be deceived by your appearance. People with HIV can be healthy and strong.
Getting tested is the only way to know your HIV status. Test today! Hosea 4:6
 Being HIV positive is manageable. With ART and healthy habits, you can live a long and
healthy life. Get tested today! 1 Corinthians 6:20
For Men
 Devout men plan and get tested for HIV. Get tested today! James 2:18
 Good communication promotes couples HIV testing and disclosure. Ephesians 4:2
 As a devout husband, I go together with my wife for antenatal visits. Let’s get tested for
HIV together! Ephesians 5:28-29, Amos 3:3
 Children can get HIV too. Let us assist our children and those we take care of to get
tested.
 Encourage your children to go for HIV testing, start treatment early, and stay on
treatment even when they feel healthy. Deuteronomy 6:6-7, Proverbs 22:6, Ephesians
6:4
 Disclose HIV status of your children in consultation with health professionals,
Philippians 2:4

For Boys and Girls

 Getting an HIV test is Noble! I am Noble! I went for an HIV test. What about you? Guys
go for an HIV test! Get tested! Proverbs 29:18, 2 Timothy 1:7
 Don’t Delay! Early detection and treatment can help people living with HIV
lead longer and healthier lives. Getting along well John 1:2

6. Section Six- ART (Anti-retroviral treatment)-Retention and Adherence

The Facts about ART
ART (Antiretroviral therapy)
 Suppresses multiplicity of the virus in the body
 Restores the immune system/ help to enhance the disease prevention capacity of
individuals/.
 Treats the complicating illnesses/ help individuals withstand opportunistic infections
 Minimizes the risk of resistance and toxicity/the virus will not adapt to the treatment and
patients will not develop side effects.
 Improves the quality of life and clinical outcomes/clients lead happier and healthier life
 Decreases the chance of transmission to another person—when someone has an
undetectable viral load, they cannot pass on the virus through sexual contact
 The goal of ART is to reduce the viral load, ideally to “undetectable” levels.
What is ART Adherence?
 Your ability to take all medications as prescribed: The Right Drugs, the Right Dosage,
the Right Time and in the Right Way. ART adherence is very important to successful
treatment.
Benefits of ART adherence

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  ART adherence makes it more likely that your viral load will be reduced to undetectable
levels. Having an undetectable viral load:
 Allows the immune system to recover and become stronger.
 Reduces your risk of developing some other serious illnesses.
 Reduces the risk that HIV will become resistant to the anti- HIV drugs you are taking
The Good News
 Better treatment options—Antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens require only one pill
per day, and have fewer side effects.
 With effective treatment, people living with HIV can live long, healthy lives and do not
have to worry about infecting their partners or children.
 U=U undetectable equals to untransmittable. People with an undetectable viral load
cannot sexually transmit the virus.

The Challenges to ART

Men and Boys
Men and boys face many personal barriers to obtaining anti-retroviral
treatment. Therefore, they do not seek treatment if they test HIV positive
 Because they don’t know that they can seek treatment immediately
 Instead they seek other traditional and spiritual treatment options
 They also believe ART is a burden—that it will involve lots of clinic visits, taking
medicine many times a day, or will have serious side effects
 They will also fear that others will find out that they are on treatment
They also fail to take their medication as directed… because they…
 don’t understand that it is important to take ART medication every day, as prescribed
 fear that others will see them taking their medication and find out they have HIV
 don’t have a plan to avoid missing doses when their routine changes for some reason,
such as travel
 have low understanding of medication efficacy with food
They also stop taking their medication, because they...
 Believe that prayer or spiritual therapies can heal them of HIV—Prayer or spiritual
therapies are important parts of healing. However, people living with HIV have to stay on
ART.
Women and Girls
Women and Girls face many personal barriers to obtaining HIV treatment, so….
they delay or avoid HIV testing
They do not seek treatment if they test HIV positive, because they…
 don’t know that they can seek treatment immediately
 believe ART is a burden—that it will involve lots of clinic visits, taking medicine will
have serious side effects
 have work load and poor time arrangement due to several works
 do not have clear information on PMTCT
 do not discuss with families
 fear disclosure

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  fear that others will find out that they are on treatment
 have not got clear information about medication
They fail to take their medication as directed because they…
 don’t understand that it is important to take ART every day, as prescribed
 fear that others will see them taking their medication and find out they have HIV
 do not have a plan to avoid missing doses when their routine changes for some reason,
such as travel, daily house routine activity like house work burden….
They stop taking their medication, because they...
 Believe that prayer can heal them of HIV
 Fear peer influence because they cannot get clear message about the medication

Messages for ART Initiation

If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is Holy,
which temple ye are. In fact, you are. (1 Corinthians 3: 17)
Boys and Girls
 Do not be discouraged by distance; go to the nearest health facility and start ARVs. Live
a healthy life! Proverbs 29:18
 Your life matters! Start taking ARVs today. Live a long life! Proverbs 12:17, 1
Corinthians 11:1
 Everyone living with HIV deserves treatment right now! Treatment is free and it works
for the whole family! Proverbs 2:1, Proverbs 4:6;
Men (Fathers and Husbands)
 Protect yourself and your family by taking your ARV!
 Continue being responsible for your family. Start ARVs immediately after testing HIV
positive. Ephesians 5:28, 1 John 4:18
Boys
 Dope guys start treatment immediately after testing HIV positive. Start treatment today!
Proverbs 1:32, Romans 13:11
 Be smart! Start ART and stay on ART! Keep healthy. Realize your dreams! Genesis
1:26-27, 1 Corinthians 10:31

Messages for ART Retention and Adherence

For Men and Boys/Women and girls
 Be smart! Be a step ahead! Stay on ART! Stay healthy! Achieve your dreams! Proverbs
1:5
 If you experience side effects with ARVs, do not stop taking your medication. Go to the
hospital. See your doctor. Mark 1:44
 Start ART immediately if tested HIV positive! Continue treatment, even after you’ve
been prayed for. Isaiah 38:21, 2 Kings 20:7
 ARVs are good for you! Our religion needs men like you, so live well with ARVs—Start
treatment at once and stay on treatment every day, even after being prayed for or taking
Holy water. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, 2 Corinthians 12:7-9
 ART adherence protects you and those you love, and reduces the risk of HIV
transmission. Ephesians 5:25, Proverbs 2:11, Proverbs 4:6

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For Fathers, Husbands
 Live long and protect your family! Start ART immediately if you test HIV positive! Stay
on ART, even if you feel healthy. Ephesians 5:28
For Boys and Girls
 Life is dope, life is precious. Take ARVs daily. John 10:10, Ecclesiastes 11:9

7. Section Seven- Reduction of HIV/AIDS related stigma and

discrimination
The Facts about HIV/AIDS related stigma and discrimination
Stigma
 Stigma has been described as a dynamic process of devaluation that ‘significantly
discredits’ an individual in the eyes of others.
 HIV-related stigma is multi-layered, tending to build upon and reinforce negative
connotations through the association of HIV and AIDS with already-marginalized
behaviours, such as
o Sex work,
o Drug use, and sexual practices.
 It reinforces fears of outsiders and otherwise vulnerable groups, such as prisoners and
migrants. Individuals living with HIV are often believed to deserve their HIV-positive
status as a result of having done something ‘wrong’.
 By attributing blame to particular individuals and groups that are “different”, others can
absolve themselves from acknowledging their own risk, confronting the problem and
caring for those affected.
Discrimination
 When stigma is acted upon, the result is discrimination.
 Discrimination consists of actions or omissions that are derived from stigma and directed
towards those individuals who are stigmatized.
 Discrimination Against People Living with HIV, refers to any form of arbitrary
distinction, exclusion, or restriction affecting a person, usually but not only by virtue of
an inherent personal characteristic or perceived belonging to a particular group—in the
case of HIV and AIDS, a person’s confirmed or suspected HIV-positive status—
irrespective of whether or not there is any justification for these measures.
 AIDS-related discrimination may occur at various levels; discrimination occurring in family
and community settings, discrimination occurring in institutional settings—in particular, in
workplaces, health-care services, prisons, educational institutions and social-welfare settings.

The Challenges to HIV/AIDS related stigma and discrimination

 Low perception of individual risk because only stigmatized groups seen as vulnerable
 Reluctance to know one's sero-status for fear of negative repercussions
 Increased vulnerability of others

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Messages for HIV/AIDS related stigma and discrimination
 The salvation of the oppressed is the wonderful life of Christlikeness. Neither he nor his
parents sinned (John 9: 3).
 When I preach Christ, the omnipotent, I do not hold everything in love.
 I have not been rejected by myself after I preached to others (1 Corinthians 9: 27).
 Christ loves all without partiality or prejudice. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his
brother, he is a liar (1 John 4: 20)
 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you (John 15:12)
 Love all people as yourself (Matthew 22:39) Love comforts, love does not set, love does
not boast, love does not feel lonely, It does not irritate He does not think of evil, but
rejoices with the truth, He endures all things, believes all things, hopes all things (1
Corinthians 13: 4-8)
 Do not judge, that you may not be judged; For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be
judged: You will be weighed in the measure by which you are encamped. (Matthew 7: 1-
2)
 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now is
there. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of
stumbling in him. (1 John 2: 9-10)
 We have passed from death to life because we love the brothers
For Men and boys
 As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. …
Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that
he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. Each
one should be fully convinced in his own mind. ... Romans 14:1-23
 … And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in
the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of
hosts!” ... Isaiah 6:1-13
 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since
we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints,
because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word
of the truth, the gospel, ... Colossians 1:1-29

8. Section Eight- Corona Virus Disease-19 (COVID-19)

The Facts about COVID-19

 Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered
coronavirus.
 Most people infected with the virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and
recover without requiring special treatment.
 Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease,
diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness.
 The best way to prevent and slow down transmission is to be well informed about the corona
virus, the disease it causes (COVID-19) and how it spreads. Protect yourself and others from

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 infection by washing your hands or using an alcohol based sanitizers frequently and not
touching your face

The Challenges to COVID-19

 COVID-19 brings an extra strain to the health system of the countries.
 One of the challenges of COVID-19 is cultural values: low health seeking behaviour, low
understanding of the concept to disease origin and dynamics in relation to scientific
knowledge.
 People might prefer to visit religious and traditional healers than modern health care
facilities. This could limit the number of individuals to avail themselves to health
facilities, and impact testing of COVID-19.
 Managing fear and stigma associated with the disease are other challenges related to
cultural and historical issues. In particular, stigmatization of the ill is an enormous
challenge.
 As a result, individuals may become reluctant to undergo testing if they fear or other
reprisals from their communities.

Messages for COVID-19

For employee and community
 Like every other challenges that we have faced together, let us also face Coronavirus and
hope for a happier and healthier life ahead.”
 “Coronavirus reminds us that we all can contribute in protecting each other by
maintaining social distance.”
 “We cannot deal with Coronavirus alone but we have to work as a team to fight this
virus. Let us all be responsible towards each other.” Isaiah 54:17
 No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses
you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from
me," declares the Lord. Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us
purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness
out of reverence for God. 2 Corinthians 7:1
 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of
body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God. 2 Corinthians 7:1
 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of
the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2 Corinthians 7:1

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References
 Global AIDS Monitoring (UNAIDS/WHO/UNICEF), Spectrum estimates (UNAIDS/WHO)
and WHO HIV Country Intelligence Tool, 2017
 (UNAIDS FACT SHEET2019)
 Kidanu, Aklilu, Haielom Banteyerga and Laura Nyblade. 2003. Exploring HIV/AIDS Stigma
and Related Discrimination in Ethiopia: Causes, Manifestations, Consequences and Coping
Mechanisms. Addis Ababa: Miz-Hasab Research Center
 HIV/AIDS Strategic plan 2015-2020 in an Investment Case Approach RONG SHI
KERENSSA KAY RAVI SOMANI |MARCH 08, 2019 FIVE FACTS ABOT GENDER
EQUALITY IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR ; WORLD BANK GLOBE
 www.the-faith.com corona versus

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