Vision/Mission/Goals Institutional Framework Theme Groups Multi-sectoral Response Partnerships Funding Mechanism Vacancies
NAC Publications Research Reports IEC Materials Resource Centre FAQs Databases Funding Sources Projects Consultants Register
NAC Meetings Conferences Workshops & Seminars Training Programs Commemoration Days
NAC News E-Bulletins Press Digest Press Releases
NAC Staff Provincial AIDS Task Force District AIDS Task Force Feedback
© 2005 Uttara Bharath Kumar, Courtesy of Photoshare

Partnerships

A successful national response to the HIV and AIDS requires the support and engagement of stakeholders across all sectors of the economy. It also requires that all levels of society are represented. To this effect, the Zambian government recognizes that an effective response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic require a partnership or multi-sectoral approach, involving government ministries at national and sub-national levels, local and international NGOs, community0based organizations, religious organizations, the private sector, the United Nations and other multilateral agencies, and bilateral donors.  The multi-sectoral response requires working together to harmonize individual and group efforts into a coordinated response.  Each actor or set of actors in the multi-sectoral approach has a place and role to play.

Partnership Forum

The need to strengthen ownership, alignment harmonization, managing for results, and mutual accountability led towards the formation of the Partnership Forum.  The aim of the partnership forum is to incorporate a number of Self Coordinating Groups (SCGs) into NAC. These include the International NGOs, Cooperating Partners, the Private Sector, Line Ministries, Civil Society, Youth, Religious Organizations and the PLHAs. 

Program Advisory Group

The Program Advisory Group (PAG) is designed to fill the gap identified by the cooperating and implementing partners to have a forum for sharing of technical and programmatic information. This structure is a key link between the implementation of the programs on the group and the reporting of such information to the Programs Committee of the Council. This committee is responsible for recommending policies related to program implementation.   Currently the Programs Committee of the Council receives its reports from the Secretariat. The PAG convenes on a quarterly basis in advance of the Programs Committee of the Council.  The role of the PAG is to provide the Secretariat with programmatic information to help guide the Programs Committee of the Council.

Public Sector

The government has put in place a number of national support structures:

  • A high level Cabinet Committee of Ministers on HIV and AIDS;
  • The National HIV/AIDS/STI/TB Council and Secretariat (NAC) was established in 2002 as a broad-based corporate body with government, private sector, civil society representation
  • The National HIV/AIDS/STI/TB Policy of 2005 provides the directive and mandate for the national response
  • At decentralized levels, Provincial and District HIV and AIDS Tasks Force (PATFs and DATFs) have been established to operate as sub-committees of the decentralized development coordinating structures.

As the employer of nearly 40% of the formal workforce and therefore, severely affected by the HIV and AIDS epidemic, the Government has begun to establish workplace policies and programs aimed at the protection of public sector employees.

Private sector

The private sector has a role to play.  Its comparative advantage is to develop, finance, and implement HIV/AIDS interventions in the workplace.  The private sector has coordinating networks – Zambia Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS (ZBCA), for example – to promote its collective interests and responses and to coordinate with government and civil society.  The Zambia Partnership includes several groups – ZBCA; Kara Counselling; Zambia HIV/AIDS Business Sector Project (ZHABS); Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Management Programme (CHAMP); Zambia Health, Education and Communications Trust (ZHECT); and Planned Parenthood Association of Zambia (PPAZ) – that provide HIV/AIDS services and information to private sector companies and others.

Civil Society

Civil Society includes NGOs, community based organizations (CBOs), faith based organizations (FBOs) and individuals, each of which has a different comparative advantage based on role, function, and position in society.  Civil society helps ensure widespread representation of views, interests, and expertise in the fight against AIDS.  Civil society groups also coordinate and implement activities of their members.  The Zambia National AIDS Network (ZNAN), for example, promotes liaison, collaboration, and coordination among AIDS service organizations.  To strengthen its coordination of the response by religious groups, the Zambian Interfaith Networking Group on HIV/AIDS (ZINGO) gained registered NGO status.  ZINGO organized a national religious leader conference, developed a strategic plan and draft constitution, and then expanded this model to districts.  The interfaith group also published Treasuring the Gift, a training manual on matters of sex and sexuality for adolescents and young adults.

Cooperating Partners

Multilateral and bilateral organizations provide both technical assistance and financial support to help the National Strategic Plan.  Through the Expanded Theme Group, international organizations also work with government to develop strategies to address the epidemic.  A number of international collaborating partners, including those funded directly by different donors, help implement specific projects and programs across the range of HIV/AIDS preventions, mitigation, and care activities.  Voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) and prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) programs are examples.

Copyright © 2007. National HIV/AIDS Council. http://www.nac.org.zm

Credits for photographs.

Site Map