ANITEC Leads HIV Prevention in Nicaragua's Textile Sector

The industry operates in these zones and contributes significantly to the country's economy, accounting for 27% of foreign sales, 60% of exports, and 55% of jobs in free trade zones, according to Nicaragua's Central Bank. ANITEC is a trade association committed to corporate social responsibility, and as part of this commitment, it promotes the adoption, compliance with, and implementation of HIV workplace policies among its member companies. To date, six textile firms affiliated with ANITEC and employing over 10,000 people have designed and implemented their HIV workplace policies. These firms are located in the Las Mercedes Industrial Park and account for 70% of the employees in this industrial park. The HIV policies implemented by these companies promote voluntary testing among employees, confidentiality of seropositive status, zero tolerance for stigma and discrimination resulting from sexual orientation and seropositive status, and combined prevention. ANITEC has established alliances with strategic partners that support the implementation of workplace policies. The Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) Study conducted by the Private-Enterprise Superior Council – COSEP – in 2013 showed that after training on combined prevention, knowledge increased by 8% and condom use increased by 7% among employees in the industry. The textile industry in Nicaragua's free trade zones is a significant contributor to the country's economy, and ANITEC's efforts to promote HIV workplace policies have had a positive impact on the industry. The implementation of these policies has led to increased knowledge and condom use among employees, indicating a shift towards a more responsible and safe work environment. ANITEC's commitment to corporate social responsibility and its efforts to promote HIV workplace policies have set a precedent for other industries in Nicaragua. The association's alliances with strategic partners and its focus on combined prevention have helped to create a safer and more responsible work environment for employees in the textile industry.