The Deputy President of South Africa, Her Excellency Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, who heads the largest HIV programme in the world, has called for a greater investment in the family to prevent HIV and AIDS.

‘Each one of us comes from a family. We have not sufficiently invested in the family. We must make sure young people get the right messages from home,’ she said.

The Deputy President also called upon the private sector to do more to increase access to treatment, saying that ‘the private sector has not come on the side of the poor to bring down the costs and not treat this tragedy as business as usual’.

Canon Gideon Byamugisha from the Anglican Church in Uganda said that African countries should work together to bring down the high costs of treatment in the region. ‘Costs come down when demand goes up. If we rallied together, we could bring costs down,’ he said.

The Canon had an optimistic outlook for the future, saying that ‘HIV is preventable and AIDS is manageable provided that there is increased and sustained leadership commitment’.

He also said that comprehensive and multisectoral approaches were essential to the AIDS response, saying that ‘HIV is a symptom of broader issues. If you fix economics, politics and education, then you are on your way to becoming AIDS competent’.

The Minister for Health in Botswana, Hon Professor Sheila Tlou said that men and boys must be part of the solution.

‘Gender sensitive responses that do not leave men behind but help them to challenge masculinity are needed’ she said.

The Minister also noted that economic empowerment and the education of girls were important priorities for the continent in preventing new infections.

She also said that ‘we need zero tolerance for corruption’ and that good governance is essential for the way forward. The Minister urged governments to see civil society as partners in their work.

The Assistant Minister for Special Programmes in the Office of the President in Kenya, Hon Dr Wilfred Machage, added that participatory approaches were essential in an effective response to HIV and AIDS. He said that it was important that AIDS Councils involve people from their constituency and particularly people living with HIV.

Speakers recognised the extraordinary courage and leadership of women living with HIV. The Deputy President of South Africa praised the women in her country who had disclosed their HIV status publicly. ‘Those first women who came out were under a lot of pressure, some were even killed. Women living with HIV, they are the real heroes,’ she said

Transcripts of the session are available from the World YWCA website.