Information Management and Networking Programme (IMN)

There is still inadequate community awareness on HIV and AIDS issues particularly when it comes to human rights and HIV and AIDS.  The 2007 Zambia Demographic Health Survey reports that, “Only 69% of women and men age 15-49 know that the risk of getting HIV can be reduced by using condoms and limiting sex to one faithful partner.”  Moreover, it reports that “about half [of men and women] say that they would want to keep secret that a family member was HIV-positive”.  This shows a clear need for more and accurate information about HIV and AIDS in order to reduce stigma.

In addition, information is often less easy to access in rural areas than n urban areas.  ZARAN in the past has attempted to address this through distributing the quarterly newsletter to all the districts in Zambia and by airing TV and radio programmes on national as well as local TV and radio stations.

Those putting out information – the media, MPs, political leaders, church leaders etc – also seem to lack adequate knowledge about HIV and AIDS.

Therefore, the provision of adequate information to the general public on preventive measures, the availability of VCT and ART services, and human rights related to HIV/AIDS is required in order to effectively address the problems associated with HIV/AIDS.

Against this background, the Information Management and Networking (IMN) programme of ZARAN will be responsible for managing the organisation’s information generated through its research, policy analysis and networking activities.

The IMN programme will also strengthen networks with like-minded organisation as well as legal practitioners for the purposes of sharing best practice and presenting a unified voice on the welfare of the PLHIV.

The Strategic Objective for the IMN programme is:

By the end of 2013, ZARAN will have empowered communities to advocate for appropriate legal, policy and institutional reforms to support the rights of People living with and/or affected by HIV&AIDS.