HIV/AIDS
and Human Rights

A very real and major threat directly linked to the continued development of human rights in Botswana is HIV/AIDS. At the UN Millennium Summit held in September of 2000, H.E. the President, Mr. Festus Mogae, stated that Botswana "has earned the dubious distinction of being the country in the entire world most seriously affected by HIV/AIDS." In December 2002, UNAIDS estimated that 38.8% of the adult population was infected with HIV/AIDS.

At the household level, the death of parents is creating a major problem of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) . The traditional family structures are being dramatically altered due to AIDS related deaths or illness, often resulting in "child headed households." Batswana living with HIV/AIDS are beginning to mobilize, but too many are still suffering in silence and poverty due to negative public perceptions and stigmatisation.

UNAIDS estimated that the number of children who were orphaned due to HIV/AIDS and are under the age of 15 at the end of 2001 was 69,000, this in a total population of only 1.5 million people. The rate at which children have been orphaned in Botswana quadrupled in just three years between 1994 and 1997. By the end of 1997 around four per cent of Botswana’s children under 15 had become orphans because of HIV/AIDS. The pandemic is still believed to be increasing dramatically.

The initial government response was slow and HIV/AIDS has already done significant damage to previous progress in social development. The split jurisdiction for AIDS orphans between ministries has made it more difficult to coordinate a national effort to help the children and families in need of support. The recently established National AIDS Co-ordinating Agency (NACA), whose governing Council is chaired by H.E. the President, is still finding its feet. The situation is further aggravated as the existing child protection laws and policies are fragmented and outdated. An effort is being made to establish guidelines for fostering of children. The updated Adoption Act, Act No. 9 of 2000, was published on 3rd August, 2000 but nothing has been done to expedite the settlement of estates. Very few Batswana have written wills as they are uncommon, but not unknown in terms of customary law.

DITSHWANELO has consistently expressed concern about the lack of people’s awareness of their human rights. The lack of a strong tradition of NGOs and CBOs working in the area of children’s rights was identified in a recent UNICEF report discussing front line responses from Southern Africa in orphan care. DITSHWANELO will in the coming years commit itself to further the work already achieved on raising human rights awareness in youth through expanding the Centre's Field Offices in Old Naledi, a low cost housing area of Gaborone, and Kasane programming activities. An effort will be made to design effective responses to the crises which youth are facing by actually having youth participate in project identification, design and implementation. Children will need skills that will help them avoid being exploited sexually and legally.

Press Releases

Publications

Botswana HIV/AIDS and Human Rights Charter - (1995) Revised in 2002.

HIV/AIDS and Human Rights Luncheon - 2002. Key Address by Zackie Achmat of the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC).

Shared Confidentiality Paper - 2000.

REDI Project: Shared Rights; Shared Responsibilities: HIV/AIDS and Human Rights - 1995.

Links

BOCONGO Botswana Council of Non-Governmental Organisations

ICRC International Committee of the Red Cross

UN in Botswana - The United Nations in Botswana

TAC Treatment Action Campaign