The 2009 HIV/AIDS Implementers’ Meeting opened on June 10 in Namibia, drawing more than 1,500 HIV/AIDS implementers from more than 55 countries around the world to Windhoek. GNP+, represented by Dr. Kevin Moody, International Coordinator and CEO was given the opportunity to speak at the opening ceremony and called for increased support for community and civil society-based programmes and services.

Dr. Moody during his address focused on what makes the involvement of civil society so relevant for the 1,500 HIV implementers at the meeting. GNP+ over the past few years developed tools together with UN and international NGO partners, measuring stigma and discrimination, human rights violations, the application of the GIPA principle as well as the ability of people living with HIV to assess their sexual and reproductive health and rights. These tools are now rolled out in countries by national networks of people living with HIV. The evidence gathered can be used to advocate for change in policies and programmes. For partner implementers and governments, these tools provide essential information to adjust programmes to address barriers and challenges to reaching universal access.

Dr. Moody called for increased support for community and civil society based prgarammes and services. “More attention and investment need to be given to ensure that health care system investments are optimized through effective implementation of community-based services,” he said: “Civil society and people living with HIV are willing and ready to play an increased role as implementers in the HIV response.”

 GNP+ opening address 2009 HIV/AIDS Implementers' Meeting 92.04 Kb

Namibia apologizes for travel restrictions

GNP+ and UNAIDS organised a Civil Society pre meeting to the 2009 HIV/AIDS Implementers Meeting on June 9, where 50 civil society participants discussed their work and their challenges. At the Civil Society Pre-meeting the Namibian Minister of Health and Social services, Dr. Robert Kamwi, apologized for the existence of travel restrictions against people living with HIV entering Namibia.

In the run up to the 2009 HIV/AIDS Implementers’ Meeting, the conference organizers were surprised to find Namibia had regulations restricting people living with HIV to enter the country. During his presentation Dr. Kamwi said that he was embarrassed to find out that this regulation exists and indicated that it was contrary to human rights declarations within Namibia and against the principles they signed on to at both UNGASS meetings.

The Namibian Government again expressed its commitment to work together with civil society to lift this regulation. Dr. Kamwi also made clear that lifting the regulation will be easier as anticipated as the travel restrictions are located in a regulation and not in an act of parliament. This means that the change has to be agreed upon by the cabinet and then published in the national gazette.