The importance of advocacy in social marketing cannot be over-emphasized. It enhances the effectiveness of other approaches such as community mobilization, interpersonal education, condom distribution and mass media advertising, by gaining the support of people in power to change the social environment in which action is carried out.

Advocacy constitutes an integral part of GSMF International’s overall work plan. From its inception to the present, GSMF has steadily paved its way forward through advocacy with a diverse group of influential groups and decision makers to overcome a hodge-podge of hurdles.

Successes in opening up dialogue on sexual and reproductive issues, leaps taken in pushing HIV/AIDS to the forefront of the national agenda, the reduction of levies and waiver of taxes on insecticide treated materials, open discussion on sexuality and family planning in church marriage counseling and the Moslem communities, the steady expansion of target groups into various socioeconomic groups, and the support of government, communities and Donors, have all been achieved through ongoing advocacy. It is no surprise then that GSMF has managed to forge many partnerships and collaborations along the way to effecting positive behaviour change among target audience. The Foundation says thank you to all those who have supported and contributed to making strides towards preventing HIV/AIDS and attaining a more healthy social environment.

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