HIV & AIDS Advocacy and Community Outreach (HACO)

Stigma, discrimination and a lack of information continue to affect people living with HIV&AIDS. There are still instances of denial of medical treatment, violations of privacy and confidentiality, deprivation of parental rights, and workplace discrimination.

Zambia still does not have anti-discrimination legislation that address discrimination against people living with HIV&AIDS.  Many PLHIV also experience challenges in terms of accessing HIV and AIDS related services and treatment meaning that many PLHIV do not access the life prolonging treatment which is a serious violation of their fundamental right to life. 

The gender dimension of HIV&AIDS also continues to be a source of concern, with women and girls being more vulnerable to infection and at higher risk.  Women in Zambian society still do not have equal status to their male counterparts, and this directly affects their ability to protect themselves from HIV and AIDS; condom negotiation is often not an option, and women and girls are frequent victims of physical and sexual assault both of which increase vulnerability to HIV infection. 

Although the Zambian government has taken some steps to address violence and discrimination against women generally, major gaps remain in legislation, HIV treatment programs, and support services to address poverty among women living with HIV and AIDS. 

The HIV&AIDS Advocacy and Community Outreach programme will strengthen the organisation’s advocacy for appropriate policy, legal and institutional reforms on the rights of people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS.

ZARAN will engage political leadership, policy makers, the local community and other stakeholders on the need to create a conducive legal and institutional environment that does not only support PLHIV but also facilitates the full realization of their potential in life, as well as addresses the needs of those affected.

The programme will advocate the need to domesticate the various ratified regional and international laws/protocols, which have an implication on the advancement of human rights of PLWHA.

The programme will also implement activities at the grassroots aimed at empowering communities to demand and claim their rights related to HIV/AIDS.