Track D Social Science, Human Rights and Political Science

Introduction 2 13 sessions 56 presentations of the scheduled 79

Track D Members MemberCountry of origin 1. Isabelle BodeaBenin 2. Alain AzondekonBenin 3. Olympia LaswaiTanzania 4. Notion GombeZimbabwe (Lead rapporteur) 5. Howard NyikaZimbabwe 6. Tsitsi JuruZimbabwe 7. Donewell BangureZimbabwe 8. Ester MuchenjeZimbabwe 9. Faith MutsigiriZimbabwe 3

Track D Members MemberCountry of origin 10. Obert ManyezaZimbabwe 11. More MungatiZimbabwe 12. Tabeth MhondeZimbabwe 13. Roy ChiruvuZimbabwe 14. Takura MatareZimbabwe 15. Munyaradzi DobbieZimbabwe 16. Zorodzai JakopoZimbabwe 17. Emelia ChikokoZimbabwe 4

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6 Session highlights

D1: Increasing access to treatment and adherence 7 Follow up of patients crucial in improving adherence Addressing stigma, confidentiality and food access are crucial for adherence Women with a history of miscarriage and stillbirth were more likely to be HIV positive National Health Insurance Scheme (2005) in Ghana resulted in improved access to treatment of PLHIV Retention in care improved and out of pocket expenditure for individuals declined

D2: Increasing access to integrated SRHR & HIV 8 Concern raised about high proportion of women not using contraceptive SRH counseling did not have an effect on having unintended pregnancies or contracting STIs Men accepted the PMTCT program and perceived their participation as important for the success of the program Men in general fear being tested

D3: Programming for access to justice and care 9 Highlighted human rights abuse against sex workers in Zimbabwe as well as unreported cases of abuse Rapid response in providing legal services to sex workers needed There is unjustified incarceration of SW Criminalization of sex work contributing to violation of human rights

D4: Stigma, discrimination and disclosure 10 Culturally sensitive interventions that help increase parental HIV disclosure are needed. The project result show significant improvement among participants in a number of areas including self-stigma, depression and fears around disclosure.

D5: Sex workers access to services and human rights 11 Highlighted hepatitis B infection is an indication of unprotected sex which also means a risk for HIV and other STIs among these MSWs. Despite sensitization human rights violations are still happening with sex workers being denied access to health care. Health workers need to uphold the Hippocratic Oath in their conduct and avoid disclosure without the consent of those concerned.

D6: Community engagement 12 Little attention has been accorded for socio-cultural and governance dimensions against effects of HIV/AIDS. Psycho-social support, culture and local governance are emerging determinants of HIV/AIDS reduction. Social capital is key for human behavior change but can be limited by poor governance. HIV is not a barrier to economic empowerment to women. Holistic approach to empowerment is key to addressing HIV/AIDS in communities.

D7: Reaching adolescents/young people with HIV messages 13 People prefer stand-alone HIV testing to health facility. (poor confidentiality) Early exposure to sexual violence was associated with sexual risk-taking behavior in adulthood among both males and females. Sixty percent of unmarried women used condoms

D8: HIV and disability 14 Strong social exclusion of deaf people was evident yet they are highly affected with HIV/AIDS. HTC uptake among PWDs was 10% and 85% did not collect their results. Access to health services remains a challenge to PWDs PWDs have increased risk of contracting HIV Only 2% of the PWDs had been reached with peer education yet 75% of the respondents were sexually active Violence against peoples living with disabilities has been shown to increase the risk of transmission of HIV two fold.

D10: Adolescents living with HIV 15 Lack of privacy and side effects were some of the reasons for non- adherence. Adolescents friendly centers help to improve treatment outcomes and offer support to the teens. Stigma and discrimination is the leading barrier to accessing treatment among young people living with HIV, followed by side effects and lack of food. Community Adolescent Treatment Supporter (CATS) services improved adherence from 44% to 71.8% in Gokwe South District, Zimbabwe

D11: HIV and law 16 All international conventions now at par with municipal law in Kenya. Discrimination on the basis of HIV status is illegal in Kenya and can be challenged in court. Need to partner with relevant stakeholders in particular parliamentarians for sustainable HIV programming.

D12: Sexual and Gender Based Violence 17 Sexual and Gender Based violence has been reported in schools. Female teachers are among perpetrators of violence Persistent and sustained advocacy works for reducing GBV and IPV Greater internal and external stigma were independent risk factors for verbal and sexual violence

D13: Information technology and communication (ICT) 18 SAFAIDS piloted the use of mHealth to further improve linkages between health facilities and communities for improved enrollment and retention in care of HIV clients mHealth contribute to improved linkage to care between health facilities and communities Number of clients with appointments followed up increased by 400% per month and lost to follow up defaulters decreased by 55%.

Thank you 19

Sessions by theme SessionExpected presentations Presentations done Chair present Yes/No Language of presentation EnglishFrench D1. Increasing access to treatment and adherence 74Yes31 D2. Increasing access to integrated SRHR and HIV 66No60 D3. Programming for access to justice and care 65Yes50 D4. Stigma, discrimination and disclosure 66Yes60 D5. Sex workers access to services and human rights 65No50 D6. Community engagement65Yes50 20

Sessions by theme SessionExpected Presentations Done Chair present Yes/No Language of presentation EnglishFrench D7. Reaching adolescents/young people with HIV messages 64No22 D8. HIV and disability65No32 D9. Key population and access to services 60NoN/A D10. Adolescents living with HIV 66Yes60 D11. HIV and law64Yes40 D12. Gender based violence and intimate partner violence 66Yes60 D13. Information technology and communication (ICT) 6- Grand Total