botswana national hiv/aids policy review
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Botswana gained independence in 1966 and has since emerged as an epitome of a developing country with striking economic growth, positivity in human development as well as a model democratic government which is universally uttered in our commemorations of independence. However, of late the country has been grappling with the HIV/AIDS pandemic, a deadly evil of magnitude proportions with which no refuge exists. The HIV/AIDS pandemic in Botswana has graduated to being a vicious threat against humanity in spite of sexual orientation, age or social status. “Southern Africa is the epicenter of the global HIV/AIDS pandemic. In 2003 Botswana had an HIV/AIDS prevalence estimated at 37.3%, second highest in Southern Africa after Swaziland”. (Barnett & Whiteside, 2006, p. 213)
Having been declared a national disaster Botswana’s National Policy on HIV/AIDS was instituted in a bid to curtail the pandemic. Years on the country still faces mounting infections with mammoth implications on the country’s development. This writing is an analysis of Botswana’s HIV/AIDS policy, it examines the objectives of the policy; the rationale behind policy objectives. It also focuses on the policy actors; politicians, parliamentarians and civil society and the ideas, the interests and resources they bring to the policy. The institutions involved, the relationships and mechanisms driving prevention, support and care initiatives. It explores the successes, challenges and alternative solutions.
INTRODUCTION
THE PROBLEM OF HIV/AIDS IN BOTSWANA
Dubbed the development anti thesis, HIV/AIDS dominates public debate domestically and globally; it is at the center of public policy making, the public budgetary system, and owns a substantial chunk of public spending all in a bid to lessen the impact on HIV/AIDS on the country’s human, social and economic livelihood.
Botswana is reportedly one of the hardest hit countries in the world, the pandemic has unleashed a tidal wave of
Botswana gained independence in 1966 and has since emerged as an epitome of a developing country with striking economic growth, positivity in human development as well as a model democratic government which is universally uttered in our commemorations of independence. However, of late the country has been grappling with the HIV/AIDS pandemic, a deadly evil of magnitude proportions with which no refuge exists. The HIV/AIDS pandemic in Botswana has graduated to being a vicious threat against humanity in spite of sexual orientation, age or social status. “Southern Africa is the epicenter of the global HIV/AIDS pandemic. In 2003 Botswana had an HIV/AIDS prevalence estimated at 37.3%, second highest in Southern Africa after Swaziland”. (Barnett & Whiteside, 2006, p. 213)
Having been declared a national disaster Botswana’s National Policy on HIV/AIDS was instituted in a bid to curtail the pandemic. Years on the country still faces mounting infections with mammoth implications on the country’s development. This writing is an analysis of Botswana’s HIV/AIDS policy, it examines the objectives of the policy; the rationale behind policy objectives. It also focuses on the policy actors; politicians, parliamentarians and civil society and the ideas, the interests and resources they bring to the policy. The institutions involved, the relationships and mechanisms driving prevention, support and care initiatives. It explores the successes, challenges and alternative solutions.
INTRODUCTION
THE PROBLEM OF HIV/AIDS IN BOTSWANA
Dubbed the development anti thesis, HIV/AIDS dominates public debate domestically and globally; it is at the center of public policy making, the public budgetary system, and owns a substantial chunk of public spending all in a bid to lessen the impact on HIV/AIDS on the country’s human, social and economic livelihood.
Botswana is reportedly one of the hardest hit countries in the world, the pandemic has unleashed a tidal wave of
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