Advocacy on Reaffirmation for assisting PLWHAs on treatment to have access to safe and nutritious food consistent with the right to adequate food (The activity was carried out in Lusaka Province through the Lusaka Provincial Hub).
The Lusaka Provincial Hub embarked on a community survey within Lusaka to establish the status quo with regards to access to food by persons living with HIV, both at policy level and on the ground in the community. This was conducted in the second week of February, 2010. The principal objective of the survey was to identify barriers that exist in accessing the right to adequate food for all, but quite specifically for people living with HIV that are on treatment. The survey involved making an assessment based on the views of people living with HIV (that are on treatment), relevant organizations and institutions involved in nutrition and antiretroviral therapy services. The survey was implemented through the review of existing policies and guidelines and a community survey from which information gathered will be used for putting in place effective collaboration measures and advocacy initiatives.
The survey was conducted through the use of a simple questionnaire that was completed by 80 clients. The sample was dominated by females and underrepresented by males with the youngest aged 17 and the oldest at 57 years old. The overall finding was that the PLWHA on treatment have very limited access to the right to adequate food due to various barriers. Not even one policy is outstanding in the provision to reaffirm assisting PLWHAs on treatment to have access to safe and nutritious food in Zambia. At service delivery level, the agricultural policy and other guidelines are not available to provide guidance to reaffirm for assisting PLWHAs on treatment to have access to safe and nutritious food, consistent with the right to adequate food.
In order to share these survey findings and seek feedback on the survey and related issues, TALC held a Stakeholders’ meeting in Lusaka to disseminate the findings of the survey. The meeting was attended by 19 stakeholders who included representatives from the government, civil society organizations, media, and United Nations agencies.
The stakeholders’ meeting in Lusaka yielded very good feedback from organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), UNAIDS, Ministry of Community Development and Social Welfare, Network of Zambian People Living with HIV/AIDS (NZP+) among others. TALC will move forward to engage Cabinet Office on inclusion of a direct policy on food for PLWHAs through its policy department. FAO have agreed to discuss the issue of access to food for PLWHAs further and a meeting between TALC and FAO is being arranged. What remains is the setting of a date for the same. Among the many issues to be discussed with regards to that issue are those of engaging PLWHAs into agriculture income generating activities and a possible strengthening of the Lusaka Hub survey findings.
The survey research findings act as an advocacy tool for government to include adequate food for PLWHA in the National HIV/AIDS Strategic Framework (NASF)
The survey research findings will create links with the Policy Analysis Coordination Division (PAC) of Cabinet Office to ensure that policies being approved and reviewed reaffirm the right to adequate food for PLWHA
Workshop participants learn that though the right to food is not enshrined in the Bill of Rights, it is covered in the Constitutional provisions (which are measures).
Re-affirming the right to adequate food for PLWHA was one of TALC’s key advocacy areas for 2010. The stakeholders meeting also roused concrete advocacy campaigns that would impact change in existing laws and policies.
The Survey research findings will input into the Sixth National Development Plan (SNDP) and the Food and Nutrition Commission. The findings will also be disseminated to the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) who have promised to provide some resources so as to cover the cost implication for the advocacy process.
Advocacy on adopting and contributing to the implementation of legislation, regulations and policies to address stigma and discrimination and to provide human rights and fundamental freedoms among people living with HIV and members of vulnerable groups (The activity was undertaken in Copperbelt Province through the Copperbelt Provincial Hub Coordinator's office and his Research, Advocacy & IEC Sub-Committees)
The purpose of this program was to hold a meeting with stakeholders and partners working on issues of legislation, regulations and policies that address stigma and discrimination, human rights and fundamental freedoms among people living with HIV and members of vulnerable groups. The aim was to gain input from those organizations that had comparative advantage in the issues we sought to advocate for as a basis upon which to do our advocacy.
The hub carried out a little survey within the Copperbelt Province on what was the status quo with regards to legislation, regulations and policies that address stigma and discrimination, human rights and fundamental freedoms among PLWHAs and members of vulnerable groups, both at policy level and the way such affects the community. The said survey was also conducted in the second week of February, 2010.
