The Impact of Funding Cuts on Botswana’s HIV based CSOs
As Botswana navigates through its 2024-2025 activity year, a concerning trend has emerged that threatens the backbone of our community health initiatives—significant cuts in funding for government-supported community HIV projects. These cuts are not merely fiscal adjustments; they represent a deepening crisis affecting the livelihoods of numerous community health workers and, critically, the stability of support networks for people living with HIV (PLHIV).
The reduction in funding has led to widespread job losses across civil society organisations (CSOs) which have been instrumental in managing these community projects. What is particularly alarming is the disproportionate impact these cuts have had on PLHIV who are employed within these sectors. Despite the critical roles they play in peer-to-peer HIV services, such as adherence counselling, there seems to be no concerted effort to prioritise their employment or involve them in leadership roles within AIDS programmes.
This oversight is not just a matter of job security but touches on the core principles of the Greater Involvement of People Living with HIV/AIDS (GIPA), which advocates for the active and meaningful participation of PLHIV in the decision-making processes that affect their lives. Botswana has commendably achieved the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets; however, sustaining these outcomes requires integrating PLHIV into the fabric of programme planning and execution. It is not enough to reach these benchmarks once; we must ensure continued success and support for those directly affected by the virus.
The lack of visibility and diminishing voices of PLHIV in strategic roles is a troubling trend that needs immediate address. PLHIV must not only be seen as beneficiaries of programmes but should be at the forefront, shaping policies and programmes based on their lived experiences and unique insights. This is not only a matter of maintaining health achievements but also of upholding human dignity and equity.
As we move forward, both government and civil society organisations must reassess their strategies to ensure that PLHIV are not only retained but are actively involved in leadership positions within HIV/AIDS programmes. Supporting PLHIV is not just about maintaining targets; it’s about recognising their indispensable contribution to Botswana’s progress and respecting their rights and expertise in driving the HIV response forward.
In times of financial constraints, prioritising the involvement of PLHIV is not only a strategic necessity but also a moral imperative to ensure that no one is left behind as we strive towards a healthier, more inclusive society.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are my own and do not reflect the views of any organisations with which I am affiliated.
Kennedy Mupeli
This is very true, PLHIV must be prioritized in the job section of HIV as they made a huge impact in reaching the 95-95-95 target, reduction rate of defaulters and LTFU not forgetting the fight against stigma and discrimination. It was said that nothing for HIV without PLHIV but how come they can be left unemployed even though they have qualifications for that field. We must not be used as stepping stones for a project to succeed then be dumped as if we are useless. Noone is doing us a favour, it is us who have sacrificed to come out publicly with our status to save lives, it is time for the government and even funders to do something about us bcoz we have families to support.
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