Southern Africa
Contact Information
Regional Focal Point
Tawanda Chisongo, Zimbabwe - (Profile)
National Focal Points
Faith Gaegopolwe, Botswana - (Profile)
Mawethu Zita, South Africa - (Profile)
Remmy Shawa, Zambia - (Profile)
Delight Sukhuoluhle Moyo, Zimbabwe - (Profile)
To join the Southern Africa regional email list, please send a blank email to GYCA-SouthernAfrica-subscribe@groups.takingitglobal.org
Background
Southern Africa remains the epicenter of the global HIV epidemic: 32% of people with HIV globally live in this sub-region and 34% of AIDS deaths globally occur there. The only evidence of declining national adult HIV prevalence in southern Africa comes from Zimbabwe, where both HIV prevalence and incidence have fallen (UNAIDS, 2005). The observed declines in prevalence appear to be related to a combination of factors, especially reductions in casual sex relations, along with increases in condom use and later sexual debuts. Nevertheless, approximately one in five adults (20.1% in a range of 13.3%–27.6%; UNAIDS, 2006) in Zimbabwe is living with HIV—one of the worst HIV epidemics in the world. The estimated average life expectancy (at birth) for women in Zimbabwe is now among the lowest in the world: 34 years. For men, it is estimated to be 37 years (WHO, 2006).
In South Africa, some 5.5 million [4.9 million–6.1 million] (UNAIDS, 2006) people, including 240 000 [93 000–500 000] children younger than 15 years, were living with HIV in 2005 (UNAIDS, 2006). Young women (15–24 years) are four times more likely to be HIV-infected than are young men: prevalence among young women was 17% compared with 4.4% among young men (Shisana et al., 2005). Having emerged a little later than most other HIV epidemics in the sub-region, South Africa’s epidemic has now reached the stage where increasing numbers of people are dying of AIDS. Swaziland now has the highest adult HIV prevalence in the world: 33.4% [21.2%–45.3%]. National adult HIV infection levels are also high in Botswana, Lesotho and Namibia (20%–24%). In Namibia, an estimated 230 000 [110 000–360 000] people were living with HIV in 2005. Adult national HIV prevalence was estimated at 19.6% [8.6%–31.7%] in 2005 (UNAIDS, 2006). Recent population-based HIV surveys, along with other HIV data, provide a more precise picture of Botswana’s HIV epidemic, where prevalence remains among the highest in the world.
National adult HIV prevalence in Madagascar was well under 1% in 2005, with an estimated 49 000 [16 000–110 000] living with HIV. Mauritius needs to focus stronger prevention efforts on injecting drug users, which is the main risk factor for HIV transmission, and especially on those who also engage in sex work (Dewing et al., 2006).
Source: UNAIDS, 2006 AIDS Epidemic Update, December 2006
Regional News
CALL FOR PARTICIPATION
Building African Women's Movements: A Movement-Building Institute (November 19 - 22, 2007)
Just Associates (JASS), in partnership with Action Aid International and Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa, (OSISA), is organizing a 4-day movement-building institute around Building African Women's Movements. This institute is the first phase of a long-term process that aims to strengthen the leadership, strategies and collective power of African women living with and working on HIV/AIDS in order for their voices and demands to be visible and influential at all levels of decision-making.
Women from any of the following countries are eligible: Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Angola, South Africa, Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe, and women under 30 are particularly encouraged to apply!
The Institute will take place in Johannesburg from November 19-22, 2007. During the workshop, participants will critically assess and learn about the last two decades of strategies on HIV/AIDS and women's rights in the sub region and on the continent, analyse the current political landscape, take stock of women's movements, the community of women living with HIV and the groups working on HIV, and define a
long-term capacity-building strategy to strengthen their leadership, organising, communications and advocacy capacity.
For more information or to apply, click here or email info@justassociates.org
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