HOW THE MEDIA CAN FORGE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH PARLIAMENTS ON ADVOCATING FOR HIV AND SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND RIGHTS (SHR): A MEDIA PERSPECTIVE Presentation by Benedict Tembo

The role of Parliament  Representing people in their respective constituencies. Currently, Zambia has 150 constituencies.  The country has population of 13 million, 103 districts.  Legislative - Parliament plays the role of making and amending laws.  Budgeting - Parliament approves budgets presented by Government by critically analysing allocation to the various ministries.  Oversight - Parliament plays the role of watchdog by ensuring that Government sticks to its promises as well as monitoring excesses.

The role of the media  Platform for information sharing  Plays watchdog role  Informs  Platform for debate  Offers voice to the forgotten

Media and Parliament have similarities  Both seek to speak for the people (representative) role.  Media plays an oversight role by ensuring that Government, including MPs stick to their constituencies and keep their promises.  Looking at their cross-cutting roles, the media must unite in dealing with Parliaments because of the diverse needs of different constituencies.  For instance, there is over reliance on radio in rural areas at the expense of other media due to low literacy level and cost of accessing other media.  Media’s role therefore is bringing to the knowledge of the Parliamentarians that the problem exists, the magnitude of the problem, what has been done to avert it and gaps still existing.

 The media can work with the parliamentarians to advocate for the services, for more funding to the sector and more inclusion in the national agenda.  The support the media expects from the parliamentarians are media freedom and good media laws among others.  The media involvement in parliamentary affairs is critical.  There is need to have a parliamentary media sub-committee to oversee HIV and SRH.  There is also need to have a mechanism for a technical paper on HIV and SRH presented in the committee by the media.

Media bodies must form special committees to explain various issues including HIV and reproductive health rights There need for a comprehensive approach when the media forges alliances in disseminating information on HIV and sexual rights. Some constituencies have no newspaper distribution and they depend on radio while some localities have television and internet service. Some places like Kang'onga in Ndola (Copperbelt Province), Sefula in Mongu (Western Province), Magwero in Chipata (Eastern Province) would require braille for the blind to learn about HIV or reproductive health.

 MPs should be aware about HIV/AIDS which they should openly talk about both in the House (Parliament) and to their electorate.  MPs should encourage testing and taking of ART.  MPs to advocate for funding for HIV and SRH.  Media and Parliamentarians should encourage male involvement in reproductive health issues.  It is now Government policy that HIV status for all children below 18 months is indicated on under 5 treatment cards.

Presentation by Benedict Tembo Thank You