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The dynamic nature of HIV and AIDS policy and strategies demand a pro-active civil society that is able to monitor relevant policy developments, build consensus on aspects of interest to the civil society fraternity, mobilise public opinion, as well as track policy implementation. ZNAN intends to build on past experience and its membership in national, regional and international networks and organizations to ensure that a supportive policy environment is created and sustained for CSO involvement in the HIV and AIDS response. ZNAN will use existing partners such NAC, the CCM, Lead Agencies, provincial offices and committees, UN agencies, and other cooperating partners to advocate for various issues such as universal access to prevention, treatment and care, Orphans and vulnerable children, Human and Women rights, child labour, rights of children, human trafficking, food security, poverty reduction, and alcohol and substance abuse. HIV and AIDS has increasingly become a human rights issue as it affects the core of human existence individually as well as in communities. Civil society has been at the forefront in the fight against the pandemic and admittedly the bulk of the work in responding to the challenges of this problem is still in the hands of NGOs and CBOs which continue to champion the cause of individuals and communities in this fight. Through their committed work of putting a ‘human face’ to HIV and AIDS, civil society has brought to the fore the rights of people affected by it in one way or another. Currently the government has committed itself to adopting the universal access to prevention, treatment and care in line with the global trends. The adoption of this approach by government will require strong advocacy from civil society to ensure that the commitments are met. As an example the extent to which the more than 200,000 people who are eligible to be on free Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART), will access this treatment will largely be influenced by active advocacy by civil society. It has been acknowledged that a large number of NGOs and CBOs are lacking the necessary skill base to engage in advocacy work and as such are often disadvantaged in dealing with matters on which they need to press forward with their agenda, especially when dealing with government. Issues relating to gender are also increasingly becoming of great concern to the nation, especially in respect of the need to mainstream them in HIV and AIDS programmes. CSOs have always maintained a strong position in promoting gender issues and therefore have a challenging responsibility of getting government, communities, and other stakeholders to acknowledge and endorse the gender aspects in the fight against HIV and AIDS. Being part of the civil society family ZNAN member organisations will need to enhance their advocacy role of standing up for those affected by HIV and AIDS as well as those other stakeholders engaged in advancing the fight against this pandemic. ZNAN as a network and sub-granting organisation will endeavour to encourage the members and sub grantees to drive the agenda for advocacy in various aspects of human endeavour. ZNAN will facilitate networking and information sharing among CSOs as well as build capacity in CSOs for them to effectively advocate for various issues. ZNAN will also facilitate the streamlining of advocacy in CSOs’ programmes in line with the NASF 2006 – 2010. The three main objectives under advocacy will be: • To establish key advocacy issues and build consensus among CSOs • To lobby stakeholders on various advocacy issues • To disseminate information on advocacy outcomes Priority will be accorded to the following activities: Advocacy in the implementation of relevant key national polices and strategies: Though Zambia has National HIV and AIDS Policy and a National strategic Framework (2006-2010), the implementation process requires systematic tracking with specific focus on CSO interests and roles. The key focus will be on existing and emerging issues, e.g. universal access to prevention, treatment and care, Orphans and vulnerable children, Human and Women rights, child labour, rights of children, human trafficking, food security, poverty reduction, and alcohol and substance abuse. Review of legislation relevant to HIV and AIDS and CSOs as well as domestication of international treaties and protocols: This is an area of significance relevancy as it defines boundaries and sanctions for specific actions. Issues such as gender based violence, sexual molestation and abuse of minors, “willful” infection, harmful traditional practices, stigmatization and discrimination are yet to find the appropriate articulation in the existing pieces of legislation. ZNAN and the CSOs will identify and prioritize areas of focus for the period 2008-2010. In addition, the relevant international treaties, agreements and protocols will be reviewed and advocacy efforts towards domestication initiated for those most relevant to CSO engagement. |