ActionAid Zambia calls for accountability amongst leaders in the fight against HIV/AIDS

ActionAid Zambia commemorates World Aids Day and the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence with communities in Nakonde and Mbala (Nothern Zambia). In Mbala the last 2 weeks have been spend on conducting sensitization against early marriages, which ActionAid Zambia sees as violence against girls, in 10 communities. This has involved drama performances and community discussion. ActionAid has also supported the Community Development Department in Mbala in meeting women clubs. The aim is to strengthen and mobilize women clubs to form Area Women Associations which currently are non-existent. This will increase women's voice and their capacity in undertaking advocacy on issues, which will improve their livelihood.

Below you can read ActionAis official statement, which is being delivered as ActioAid takes part in the World AIDS Day event in the community of Mwenzo in Nakonde. The statement is also been published in two national newspaper, and is appearing in the news at Zambian National Broadcasting Corporation and Radio Phoenix.

ActionAid Zambia calls for accountability amongst leaders in the fight against HIV/AIDS and for the protection of Human rights

ActionAid International Zambia wishes to join the rest of the country and the world in commemorating World AIDS Day 2010 and the international 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence. The 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence links three important days in the quest for human rights – these are the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the International World AIDS Day and International Human Rights Day. The interconnection of these days clearly demonstrates that violence against women and HIV/AIDS are indeed human rights issues.

This years theme for World AIDS Day is 'Universal Access and Human Rights'. The World AIDS Day is an opportunity for all to commemorate and remember those living with, affected and effected by HIV/AIDS. It reminds us that in Zambia, though the HIV prevalence rate among adults has fallen from 15.6% in 2001-2002 (ZDHS) to 14.3% in 2009 (ZCR), these figures are still high and discrimination and stigma continue to undermine the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Progress has been scored in terms of access to ARVs for persons living with HIV/AIDS in that Anti Retrovirals (ARVs) are provided free of charge. According to the latest Zambia Demographic Health Survey treatment has been scaled up covering 70% of all people living with HIV eligible for Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART). However, much more can still be done in this regard as access to quality health care in Zambia is still not readily available for the majority of our people, especially those living in rural areas.

ActionAid notes the continued reduction in donor support to the health sector that now undermines the gains made in the fight against HIV/AIDS and other diseases. Decisions by the Swedish and Dutch governments, the Global Fund to suspend funding to Zambia are a great concern. As Zambians, we no doubt understand the consequences of this reduction in funding. It is therefore a moral imperative for all of us to take keen interest in such developments and to dialogue and to hold to account our leaders at various levels so that together we can manage and utilize our resources in an effective, transparent, equitable and accountable manner. 

As ActionAid International Zambia we interpret this year’s theme to mean universal access to legal and constitutional rights, as well as access to quality and affordable health services including Anti Retrovirals (ARVs).

ActionAid believes that although the recent National Constitutional Conference (NCC) did not debate the Bill of Rights, it is still possible to reconsider this, and it is indeed an opportunity to demonstrate Zambia’s commitment to upholding the Human Rights of its citizens. The fight against HIV/AIDS can never be won if as a country we do not provide for guaranteed social and economic constitutional human rights for all citizens.

As a country, we are yet to enact Gender Based Violence legislation. This is a challenge that we hope can be resolved soon as there is no question on whether we need it or not. The question is WHEN we need it and the answer is NOW as we have been working on this for a long time now. Negative practices in customary law that allow for early marriage and perpetuate teenage pregnancy, HIV and domestic abuse need to be addressed. It is equally time for us as a nation to develop policies and measures for safeguarding children and young people from all forms of violence, abuse and exploitation. If not addressed, all these combined have the potential to hinder Zambia’s progress towards attaining Millennium Development Goal 3 on Gender Equality and Millennium Development Goal 6 on combating HIV/AIDS.

All leaders, be they community leaders, magistrates, judges, teachers, policemen and policewomen, traditional leaders and religious leaders should begin to speak out against injustices such as gender based violence, corruption, discrimination and harassment.

All of us should demand for changes in our legal and constitutional system which protects all Zambians.  We need to end HIV and Violence against women. NOW!

Pamela Chisanga
ActionAid International Zambia Country Representative