HIV & AIDS Research and Policy Analysis (HRPA)

In responding to the HIV&AIDS epidemic, in Zambia and globally, little attention has been paid to the human rights aspects of HIV and AIDS.  It only relatively recently that organisations have begun to consider this critical area of HIV&AIDS.

Human rights intersect with HIV&AIDS on a number of different levels, for example:

• The criminalisation of HIV transmission in many countries directly threatens the rights of PLHIV.
• The right to access healthcare is intrinsically linked to HIV&AIDS when we talk about the right access anti-retroviral therapy and other HIV treatment and care services.
• People who are living with HIV&AIDS are frequent victims of human rights abuses such as unfair dismissal from work, loss of property of inheritance rights, loss of guardianship for children.
• Those affected are often victims of rights abuses – orphans and vulnerable children and those affected by HIV&AIDS are often unable to attend school (violating the right to education) and are stigmatised in their communities.

 
On the basis of such considerations, the HIV&AIDS Research and Policy Analysis programme will continue to conduct research activities to provide evidence of HIV&AIDS related human rights issues.  Such research will form the backbone of ZARAN’s advocacy, information, communications and training activities.

In addition to research, through this programme ZARAN will analyse various national policies on HIV&AIDS, human rights and legal systems.

The strategic objective for this programme is:

By the end of 2013, ZARAN, through its research and policy analysis, will contribute new dimensions to the discourse and practice of promoting and protecting Human Rights for People living with and/or affected by HIV&AIDS.