International HIV/AIDS Alliance in Mozambique
6/11 provinces
The Alliance in Mozambique provides programmatic and organisational support in the central and southern provinces of Manica, Sofala, Tete, Inhambane, Gaza and Maputo.
Mozambique has one of the world’s highest rates of HIV infection. Prevalence among adults has steadily increased from 8.2% in 1998 to 16% in 2007. Mozambique is the only country in Southern Africa with an increasing rate of new HIV infections.
Despite significant advances the epidemic continues to outpace the response. At the end of 2007, only 24% of those in need of antiretroviral treatment were receiving it. That year around 46% of HIV-infected pregnant women received drugs to reduce the risk of mother-to-child transmission.
The vast majority of Mozambicans are unaware of their HIV status. Most have little or no access to basic prevention tools and services.
WHAT WE DO
Orphans and vulnerable children
Since 2007, the Alliance in Mozambique has been implementing a UNICEF programme to expand civil society responses to orphans and vulnerable children and people living with HIV in Manica and Sofala, including efforts to combat stigma and discrimination.
Behaviour change
In 2008, we started a partnership with HCP to encourage positive behaviour change and increase access to HIV services. This programme supports communities to identify and reduce barriers to behaviour change, working with local organisations and community leaders with an emphasis on gender and power relations. It aims to reduce stigma as a barrier to people accessing HIV services, and funds activities to increase uptake.
Combating stigma
The Alliance in Mozambique also implements an AED-funded programme to strengthen non-governmental organisations and networks to understand and challenge HIV-related stigma.
FUTURE PLANS
Future plans
In 2009, the Alliance in Mozambique will begin a prevention programme as part of the Alliance’s Africa Regional Programme. This will place particular emphasis on working with people living with HIV and orphans and vulnerable children. Programme partners will include the national network of people living with HIV (RENSIDA), provincial networks and the HIV coordination bodies of provincial and district governments.
Also as part of our Africa Regional Programme, the Alliance will coordinate an advocacy programme between NAP and RENSIDA for greater involvement of Mozambican people living with HIV.