HIV Program Enablers

Zambia has line up key intervention areas over the next few years in order to reduce new infections and ensure equitable access to treatment amongst all its population, irrespective of age, gender, income level or geographical location. However, the environment within which these interventions are implemented must be conducive and for the success of a comprehensive HIV programme. These critical enablers are activities that are essential for the effective and efficient implementation of basic programme activities and whose sole or primary objective is an HIV-specific outcome.

The social, political and cultural environment can either negatively or positively affect different members of the communities’ access to and use of HIV related services. Gender inequality and stigma are still significant barriers affecting both men and women, particularly youth and key population groups such as sex workers. Critical enablers can help ensure equitable access to HIV related services, ensuring full involvement of communities to encourage a more locally led and owned and, therefore, more sustainable response that is based on local priorities. Such a system needs good governance at both national and sub-national levels that takes advantage of all local opportunities, including financial.