by Virginia Kapembeza Muwanigwa
Despite the considerable work being done in response to the AIDS pandemic in southern Africa, lack of or inadequate policies to create an enabling environment for dealing with its socio-economic effects remains a challenge.
In countries where AIDS policies do exist, there is need for these to be disseminated and have structures for enforcement in place. Several multi-sectoral organisations are working on AIDS-related issues but sometimes there is duplication of efforts in some areas while some remain uncovered as a result of lack of coordination.
The rising number of AIDS orphans has also resulted in some calling for specific policies to effectively deal with the attendant problems. Another area that needs specific policies is employment. Previously, the stigma attached to AIDS would result in some people being victimised or not seeking counselling or treatment. The resulting secrecy had adverse effects in that there was no way of assessing the extent of the problem or putting in place programmes to deal with it.
more recently, some policies have been developed as a result of increased awareness of the need to have such guidelines.
at a regional level, in July 1995, the Southern African Trade Union Coordinating Council (SATUCC) developed a draft regional code on AIDS and employment. Trade union representatives from 10 countries
– Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe — were represented. Among some of the main points of the regional draft are that:
– HIV and AIDS should be differentiated, with the former being seen as not disabling a person from performing their duties while the latter should be treated as any life-threatening disease;
– HIV status shall not be a factor in job status, promotion or transfer;
– Infected employees or those suspected to be shall be protected from stigmatisation by co-workers, employers or clients.
In Zimbabwe, a draft policy on AIDS orphans has been prepared after extensive consultation by the Department of Social Welfare under the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare in conjunction with the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
The draft carne about as a result of predictions by the National AIDS Coordination Programme (NACP) that Zimbabwe will have an estimated 600 000 orphans by the year 2000. It highlights different aspects relating to the livelihood of orphans and suggests ways in which activities can be coordinated.
“The growing crisis of mass orphan hood is a silent emergency which, if not addressed now, will overwhelm Social Welfare services, drain government resources and place unbearable strain on the extended family,” reads part of the draft.
Already, the AIDS crisis has brought out the inadequacies of the extended family in alleviating the situation. A mixture of financial difficulties, and a breakdown in the traditional obligation to care for extended family members has made it necessary to have some interventions which are guided by policies. An intersectoral committee on AIDS and Employment drawn from government, labour and employers in October last year also released the Zimbabwe National Code of Practice which is supposed to guide relations at workplaces to avoid discrimination. Draft national codes have also been developed in Namibia and South Africa.
The National AIDS Committee of South Africa (NACOSA) set up a Task Force on AIDS to devise a national plan and to propose structures for implementation at national and regional levels. Among other interventions suggested are the promotion of policies to address the social and economic consequences of HIV/AIDS. Botswana has also had calls for a clear-cut policy on AIDS and its socio-economic effects. The country has made considerable strides in raising awareness on one of the critical issues relating to the epidemic, employment and the practices prevailing. Several workshops have been held on AIDS and the Workplace focusing on, among others, the removal of discrimination against those infected or suspected of being infected.
Tanzania has recently announced a new policy on AIDS aimed at banning discrimination against those infected with the disease, especially regarding employment.
Under the new policy, testing or inquiring after one’s HIV status for employment, insurance and other reasons is prohibited. “HJV infection shall not be a cause for termination of employment,” reads part of the document. It also reiterates that people with HIV should be allowed to work as long as they are still fit to do so.
By December 1994, Tanzania had an estimated 53 247 AIDS cases according to the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP). Although children and the youth have been identified as being more vulnerable to AIDS, no specific programmes have been directed at them. NACP however seeks to change this by helping channel support to communities to cope with AIDS patient care, orphans and other dependent survivors
Despite several countries having adopted some policies, enforcement measures and channels for redress are not so clear-cut. In some instances, the bureaucracy involved is such that intended beneficiaries refrain from seeking help.
Africa Insight, a Zimbabwe-based monthly magazine reports that AIDS can no longer be wished away or ignored but must be faced head on. Pro-active measures, for instance would have more effect than disjointed strategies which only serve to dilute resources through duplication. (SARDC)
