HIV/AIDS and Democratisation Programme

The HIV/AIDS and Democratisation Programme supports local organisations that lobby at national and regional levels for the implementation of HIV/AIDS policy that promotes and protects the rights of women and girls who have HIV/AIDS.

People with HIV and AIDS in Southern Africa are confronted with stigmatisation and discrimination due to their HIV status. It is also made difficult for them to earn a basic income and to live a normal life in human dignity. HIV and AIDS rights are internationally acknowledged, and most of the governments in the region have in fact put their signature to these international human rights. In practice, these treaties often lag behind in the translation into national legislation and policy. Where there is a national HIV/AIDS policy, the implementation is often incomplete. This continues to make it problematic for people with HIV and AIDS to claim their rights. This is an especially serious problem for women and girls.

The HIV/AIDS and Democratisation Programme focuses on women’s rights organisations that have experience with lobby and advocacy. If these organisations are linked to human rights organisations and HIV/AIDS organisations, cross-pollinisation could be fruitful. Together, these organisations will deploy lobby strategies at national and regional levels. Organisations from Zambia, Mozambique and Botswana will initially be participating in the programme.