- 29-31 Simon Muzenda Street Formerly 4th Street and Selous Avenue , Harare, Zimbabwe
- info@dhatregional.org
- +263 779 570 453
- +263 772 595 712
Background of Organisation
Botswana Network of people living with HIV/AIDS is a national umbrella network formed by and for people living with HIV/AIDS in Botswana. It was founded in 2000 motivated by the need to provide leadership and a common forum for concerted advocacy efforts to provide a united voice for people living with HIV/AIDS. The network is represented by the national AIDS council. BONEPWA has a national executive board comprising ten members elected by people living with HIV/AIDS support groups across the country. BONEPWA is a membership organization.
Governance
BONEPWA is going through a transformation process. The organization is working towards putting in place of all necessary policies. An example was cited that a communication policy would also be put in place.
BONEPWA has a constitution that it adheres to and also has a strategic plan that was reviewed during the mid-term of the strategic plan tenure. Disability is not an area of focus in the strategic plan. However, BONEPWA would like to advocate for the rights of people with disabilities and have a disability office.
Institutional Capacity
BONEPWA has no information on disability and HIV/AIDS. During the interview, it was stated that BONEPWA sees it as a requirement to include disability in their training packages. BONEPWA has seen that there are glaring gaps at the national level in terms of advocacy for disability. It was stated that advocacy for disability at the national level is all rhetoric. As a result, disability mainstreaming in programming is not present.
In terms of capacity, BONEPWA has the technical human resource. However, the technical staff is not skilled in matters of disability. Therefore, human resource gaps are available. BONEPWA has also identified unimplemented policy areas. In the organizational mandate disability is not included because of a lack of advocacy. BONEPWA stressed that they need programming in the area of disability.
BONEPWA carries out support visits to its affiliates and acknowledges that feedback is a major gap. They have recognized that affiliates require feedback. BONEPWA is supported by Skillshare international Donor.
Area of Focus
Disability is a gap that is already identified in BONEPWA’s strategic plan and programming. BONEPWA stated that there must be deliberate conscience about disability at all levels. Currently, that is missing.
On stigma and discrimination of people with disabilities, BONEPWA has encountered advocacy challenges. The political and civil society advocacy efforts are few. BONEPWA is of the opinion that there is a need for conscience and willingness to address and meet the needs of people with disabilities.
To better contribute to disability and HIV/AIDS response, skilled human resources in disability, financial resources, sign language, Goodwill, and good spiritual well-being are required by BONEPWA. BONEPWA does not have interventions in response to HIV/AIDS and disability.
Lack of advocacy is the identified barrier to disability and HIV/AIDS response. This is already highlighted above. BONEPWA has recognized the Disability and HIV and AIDS Trust as a necessary organization to assist in addressing the barriers. BONEPWA is willing to start a sustainable collective effort with DHAT.
The BONEPWA strategic plan is ending this year 2009. BONEPWA intends to include disability in its programming. The Partnership with Disability, HIV, and AIDS Trust will help set up mechanisms to overcome the barriers. As a contribution, BONEPWA will include disability in programming and the strategic plan.
BONEPWA would like the partnership with the Disability HIV and AIDS Trust to dwell in the areas of training and support, skills sharing, and transfer. BONEPWA also mentioned that cost-sharing initiatives must be taken into consideration in certain programming. The expectation is that the partnership will be sustainable.
To ensure the sustainability of the partnership, DHAT and BONEPWA must own the partnership. The ownership must be supported through skills transfer and sharing, mainstreaming disability in support groups, CBOs, and government programs, and also increasing awareness about disability at all levels.
Information and Networking
BONEPWA networks with the Government of Botswana, Botswana Network of AIDS Service Organisations (BONASO), Botswana Network of Ethics Law and AIDS (BONELA), Botswana Council of Non-Governmental Organisations (BOCONGO). ForumSyed and Community-Based Organisations.
BONEPWA believes that the right actors in the realm of HIV/AIDS are people with disabilities, the government (Ministry of Health), Community-Based Organisations, AIDS Service Organisations and disability advocates.
BONEPWA collects data and general information on prevention and behavior change response processes. Information is shared through reports and meetings with partners, Mentoring, and Evaluation with technical teams and peer mentoring processes. The information is shared internally through the internet with individuals, meetings, and project offices.
General Comments
BONEPWA stated that people with disabilities’ rights must be advocated for. The advocacy must be carried out in a league with the government and other groups of people.
The BONEPWA/DHAT partnership must be done correctly and it is expected that the two will prepare and publish advocacy materials in both electronic and print media.
Note
The mapping exercise information was provided by Lorato Sakufiwa, Dr Simon, Loruno (American Peace-Corp Volunteer). Robert Sinyinza and Shirley Keaogile carried out the mapping exercise on 2nd April 2009.
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