HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2016 AIDS CONFERENCE CURRENTLY GOING ON IN DURBAN

[Tochukwu Ibe]

RECOGNIZING THE PAST, SECURING THE FUTURE: CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS AND NATIONAL AIDS RESPONSES

SUMMARY

Brainstorming session on the future of civil society working on HIV in East and Southern Africa. Civil society evolved as did the response to AIDS, and bridged the gap for services, leadership and demanded government accountability. Current climate challenges the sustainability of civil society to deliver community-led responses to HIV.

HIGHLIGHTS

Questions of whether civil society has kept pace with medical advances and treatment approaches. Moreover, as it initially focused on treatment it must now balance focus on treatment, prevention and education. Some critics say that civil society has not kept pace with advances and lost energy over time, stagnated and softened or “dumped down” its approach over time. However, there is an agreement that civil society remains critical to achieving Fast Track goals. Civil society must challenge status quo and elevate the need to include focus on social/inter sectional issues and not just bio-medical response. Investments are critical.

CRITICAL ASSESSMENT

Historically, civil society has been essential in leading the community response let alone national responses to the epidemic and bridging the gap when governments were in denial about or could not respond to the impact that AIDS. Challenges of sustainability have arisen, including financial challenges (dependency on international funds, funding policies that can be accessed by larger organisations, lack of domestic spending on civil society, etc.). In order for civil society to remain viable, there must be investment and recognition of the importance of approaches other than bio-medical interventions.