Speech of the Deputy President Ms Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka at the Young Women Christian Association (YWCA) International Women's summit, Nairobi, Kenya

Dreaming of a HIV free Africa and world: The dream begins with you and me

Programme Director
General-Secretary of the World YWCA, Ms Musimbi Kanyoro
Honourable dignitaries
Scientists and health workers
Members of faith-based organisations (FBOs)
Members of donor organisation
Members of non-government organisations (NGOs) and community-based organisations (CBOs)
People living with HIV and AIDS
Caregivers of those living with HIV and AIDS
Ladies and gentlemen

I am pleased to be participating in this important YWCA International summit on Women and HIV AIDS. It is said that two thirds of the world's population who are infected with HIV and AIDS reside in Sub-Saharan Africa. We also know that women because of their physiology and their subordinate place in many communities are more likely to become infected with HIV and AIDS. We also know that women are more likely to be affected by the impact of this disease, as they are mothers and caregivers, but in general, because women are the first and the last to be on the side of those who need support.

I therefore wish to congratulate the YWCA for holding this important conference on African soil. This gesture points to the understanding that Africa, and in particular African women need to lead on the matter of an HIV free continent. Some of us believe if women can be empowered and acquire the capacity to make their own decisions, we could be in better shape.

Notwithstanding these circumstances women leadership shines through. In this conference there is no doubt that you would have had countless examples of outstanding women. Women lead at grassroots as she gives support where it matters most and where it is not easy, in many cases doing what comes naturally, sharing and using their own resources.

The concept of home-based care and primary care depends on and is due to women. Many poor countries, on our continent including mine, do not have capacity to cope with chronic illnesses. So home-based healthcare is needed. In some way it is care that is with a capital C can be found in these home-based services.

Therefore women in developing countries have invented a layer in the healthcare system born out of need and care. Such a service is based on caring leadership and resourcefulness and needs to be recognised as a critical extension of the healthcare system without over formalising it. When women perform this task we need as nations to embrace and resource it properly and provide much needed income to women. In my country we are opting for that approach through public works programmes.

We now also have much better appreciation of the nursing assistants and social workers, and we are re-investing in these skills. We also understand much better the need to take services to the people.
As the challenge of HIV and AIDS is multi-dimensional, so should be the approach. In our National Strategic Plan we stress the need to address:

* gender violence
* economic well-being
* education of girls and women
* improving access to maternal health
* fast-tracking and easy access to antiretrovirals (ARVs) for pregnant women
* provision of treatment and support
* prevention of mother-to-child-transmission with added focus on caring for mothers
* food security for mothers who are HIV positive
* stigma and other cultural practices that discriminate or punish HIV positive women and their children
* acceleration of programmes for orphans and vulnerable children
* support of programmes championed by women leaders who are living positively with HIV.

These are some of the specified interventions in our National Strategic Plan 2007 to 2011.

South African National AIDS Council (SANAC)

Firstly, as government we have made tremendous strides in consolidating a national partnership. Like many other countries, we have a national partnership, the South African National AIDS Council or SANAC as it is known.

SANAC is a national partnership and includes churches, scientists health workers, NGOs, CBOs, people living with HIV and AIDS business, women, youth, traditional leaders, traditional healers and government of course, all have come together to fight the scourge of the pandemic. While for some years issues of fundraising and debates dominated, we are now emphasising action.

National Strategic Plan (NSP)

The South African National Strategic Plan for HIV and AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections for 2007 to 2011 were adopted by SANAC earlier this year. The NSP is the product of extensive consultation with all sectors of South African society and has been hailed as one of the most comprehensive HIV and AIDS programmes in the world by United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS). Women from all the sectors were prominent in this process starting with our health Minister.

Without going into too much detail, suffice is to say that the NSP is a holistic, multi-pronged approach to HIV and AIDS and focuses on the following key areas namely: prevention, treatment, care and support, human rights and access to justice, and research and monitoring and surveillance. We also emphasise the importance of re-investment in the total health system and in human resources and conditions of service. We emphasise as indicated earlier on socio-economic empowerment of women and fighting abuse of women and girls and boys.

Sexual violence and men as partners

Whilst SANAC has begun to make many strides on all fronts the challenge of sexual violence against girls, boys and women, only mitigates against our efforts. In South Africa we have called on all men, to join us as partners to actively assist in overcoming this problem.

Furthermore, men themselves have an important role to play in combating HIV and AIDS. They need to understand their responsibility in practising safe sex and protecting their families. In particular we are urging men to know their status, again men are less likely to check on their status and therefore we have fears that we actually do not know the numbers of infected men in many of our countries.

Our efforts should focus on the youth

All of us need to attach importance of youth, and seek to continually find innovative ways to communicate with the youth and to reinforce appropriate lifestyle choices. We have been encouraged by the African broadcasters who have adopted a campaign based on "you and me" making an HIV free Africa. We challenge our youth to dare to dream of an HIV free Africa, if they dream it, they can achieve it. This is a campaign I passionately believe in, taking personal responsibility. It is also a campaign that must start at family level. Women are stronger with children. The home for many women and girls is can be the most unsafe and violent location as much violation happens there. We have to secure the home as sisters, mothers, grandmothers and mothers in low.

So I see and believe women's leadership at different levels

* Women in their local, national and international organisation, such as the YWCA, women in SANAC in my country and in Home Based Care (HBC).
* Women as policy makers such as myself and those who make policies in donor countries and organisations. Women and economic empowerment.
* Women as activists in a fight against violence and including women in conflict areas. In my country again we have the 16 days of no violence against women turned into 365 days action.
* Women are leaders in support of affected and infected children.
* Women in the home and family where we must start every single home must be a site of struggle. Children and Youth must be engaged beginning at home.
* Women must continue with Home Based Care (HBC) where they are needed
* The economic systems of our countries are key to world that cares not exploits.
* Women who are living with AIDS have shown great leadership and are responsible for breaking the silence/.

It is important to prevent women's disempowerment. We must work on women economic empowerment.

In taking personal responsibility and advancing a "you and me" message, an AIDS free world and Africa, we urge those who are negative to stay negative and lets tell them how. Those who are positive not to infect any other person and not to re-infect themselves. To take the steps to avoid being sick and stay productive. We attach much importance in not projecting Africa as only a dying continent but fighting to survive all odds.

In conclusion Programme Director, I would like to applaud all the participants, many of you who have travelled from afar to attend this summit. Your presence here today gives us much hope and optimism at the back of our collective resolve. I thank the YWCA from whom over the years I have learnt so much.

In parting I wish to say once again: Dreaming of an HIV free Africa and a HIV free world begins with you and me. If we dream it we can do it!

I thank you.

Issued by: The Presidency
7 July 2007