Lusaka
Red Ribbon

Facts

The following non-negotiable values guide the HIV and AIDS Team’s work

Respect for Human Rights
All individuals have dignity and worth, and are entitled to respect, protection and fulfillment of their human rights. Realization of these rights must be on the basis of equality and non-discrimination; participation and inclusion; accountability and the rule of law as expressed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Gender equality
Equal economic, social, and political opportunities and access to services, for women and men, and girls and boys is both an end in itself, and a means towards human development.

Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR)
Every individual has inalienable rights over her/his own body. Women and girls, men and boys therefore have the right to express their sexuality, and to make decisions for safe sexual practices and reproduction, on the basis of comprehensive SRHR information and services.

Children and Young People’s Rights
Every child and young person has the right to survival and development, including the rights to health, education, protection, and adult support. Children and young people also have the right to participate in decision-making and programming that affects their lives.

Perspectives of the poor
All people have the right to self-determination, and to lead productive and creative lives in accordance with their own needs and interests. The perspectives of the poor  must therefore essential in the processes and programs that affect their lives. 
Utvecklingssamarbete / Development Cooperation

Regional HIV/AIDS Team

Established in 2000, the Regional HIV/AIDS Team is a joint program of the governments of Sweden and Norway, covering Sub-Saharan Africa and based at the Embassy of Sweden in Lusaka, Zambia.

The Team has continued to focus on a combination of support to the Regional Economic Community (RECs) Secretariats, civil society organisations (CSOs) and action research. Leadership and coordination of efforts at the regional level is provided by the RECs.

Much of the actual implementation work on HIV prevention and impact mitigation at both regional and country levels is done by civil society, which also has advocacy and accountability roles. The Team gives technical support to Swedish and Norwegian Embassies for HIV and AIDS programming and dialogue.

Three focus areas guide the Team’s work:

  • HIV prevention, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and gender: within this thematic area is to expand on the integration of HIV with SRHR. Also, to develop responses to underlying factors to HIV transmission, such as gender inequality and harmful cultural practices. Interventions for mobile populations are also included.
  • Mitigation of the social and economic consequences of HIV and AIDS: Major programmes in this thematic area are support to vulnerable households; with a focus on the needs of Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVCs) and the elderly, as well as food security.
  • HIV and AIDS in relation to active leadership and human rights: within this thematic area is support to the RECs, CSO advocacy and accountability work, human rights organisations – including LGBTI rights,  capacity building, HIV and AIDS workplace policy and practice, research capacity building and research dissemination to leadership. 

These lead in turn to the three main objectives for the Team:

  • Improved HIV prevention, integrated with SRHR, as well as gender equality
  • Improved social and economic conditions for individuals and households affected by HIV and AIDS
  • Strengthened rights and leadership in relation to HIV

The Team continues to play an influential role in dialogue in the East and Southern Africa region. The combination of support to SADC, EAC and UNAIDS is important in this regard. Regional dialogue is carried out through:

  • Meetings with and convened by SADC and the EAC
  • The International Cooperating Partners meetings on HIV & AIDS (donors, SADC and UNAIDS) 
  • UNAIDS convened HIV prevention group for Southern Africa 
  • UNICEF convened Regional Inter-Agency Task Team (RIATT)
  • International and regional meetings
    Annual reviews with partner organisations

Dialogue issues include:

  • scaling-up HIV prevention efforts,
  • integration with SRHR,
  • gender equality – including work with men and boys,
  • LGBTI rights,
  • the needs of vulnerable households,
  • developing surveillance and M&E capacity,
  • regional coordination and
  • leadership.

The Team brings together Sweden and Norway’s comparative advantage in sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), gender, and the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) persons. The selection of programs, partners and activities is on the basis of the value added to national level interventions.

A Reference Group of internationally renowned African experts on HIV and AIDS advise the Team on strategic directions and thematic focus.
3 Crowns