01 Dec 2024

Botswana has progressive laws and policies that support the rights of citizens.

However, there are certain human rights and critical legal issues such as the criminalisation of sex work, age of consent for adolescents accessing HIV testing and related services that require review.

Speaking during the World AIDS Day commemoration in Tlokweng today, Vice President Ndaba Gaolathe said if left unattended to, these issues would continue to make certain segments of the population vulnerable to HIV infections and defeat the country’s efforts of fighting HIV and AIDS.

“Further note that the LEA assessment recommended that collaboration between stakeholders such as lawmakers, the judiciary, the police, traditional leaders and private legal practitioners must be strengthened with a view to removing human rights barriers. The assessment, furthermore, calls for the provision of pro bono legal services to the less privileged members of the society, reduction of gender and social inequalities in our communities to curb HIV and AIDS incidents.” he said.

Mr Gaolathe said to date government had established a human rights unit within the National AIDS and Health Promotion Agency (NAHPA) with the support of one development partner in the HIV response, the Global Fund.

He said the unit had thus far facilitated the development and implementation of a five-year national comprehensive plan to remove human rights and gender related barriers to HIV and AIDS services.

“It is through this initiative that NAHPA continues to monitor laws, policies and regulations relating to HIV and AIDS, and offer support to different stakeholders to implement Human Rights programmes in accordance with their mandates,” he added.

The Vice President said having surpassed the UNAIDS target of 95-95-95, Botswana had become a beacon of hope and an example of resilience, commitment and innovation, but the battle was not yet over, which meant that collectively there was need to close the remaining gap to get to 100-100-100.

He said he was perturbed by the realisation that statistics continued to show gender disparities within the population in accessing services as well as in incidences of new HIV infections.

He said to close the gap and prevent new HIV infections, there was need for innovative approaches to improve access to HIV services, particularly by men, young women, key populations and children.

Mr Gaolathe stressed the importance of recognising that all the success Botswana had realised in the fight against HIV and AIDS was possible because of partnerships.

“Just to give the picture of how we have been generously supported, the country has received direct financial support from the Global Fund in excess of $88 million since 2014 to date, with an additional commitment of $24 million for the period 2025 to 2027. The United States government, through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), on the other hand, has made available financial support to the country’s HIV response in excess of $1 billion since 2003, and has committed a total of $50 million from October 2024 to September 2025,” he added.

For his part UN Resident Coordinator, Mr Zia Choudhury observed that global funding for HIV programmes was shifting.

He said such middle-income countries as Botswana faced increased pressure to sustain progress with reduced donor support.“This calls for innovative financing and greater investment from government, the private sector and international partners. A strong commitment to efficiency, sustainability and accountability will ensure the gains we have made are not lost,” he said.

Mr Choudhury said the 2021 decision to decriminalise same sex relationship was a historic step in upholding human rights.

He said it demonstrated the power of a multisectoral approach with civil society and NGOs working hand-in-hand with government to advance equality and inclusion.

The day was held under the theme: Take the Rights Path, My Health, My Right. ENDS