SHARe II Quarterly Report: July 1, 2012 – September 30, 2012

The project's purpose is to support the Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) in its efforts to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS and improve the quality of life for people living with the disease. The project's vision is to create a society where HIV/AIDS is no longer a major public health concern. The project's mission is to support the GRZ in its efforts to strengthen the national response to HIV/AIDS, improve the policy and regulatory environment, and enhance the capacity of coordinating structures to sustain the response. The project's goal is to contribute to the reduction of new HIV infections, improve access to HIV/AIDS services, and enhance the quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS. The project has four main objectives. The first objective is to strengthen and expand leadership involvement in HIV/AIDS and improve the policy and regulatory environment. This involves supporting traditional leaders, members of parliament, influential opinion-leaders, and religious leaders in their efforts to address HIV/AIDS. The project also aims to develop an HIV/AIDS leadership toolkit and manual, and to support local NGOs, such as ZINGO, in their efforts to address HIV/AIDS. The second objective is to strengthen the organizational and technical capacity of coordinating structures to sustain the HIV/AIDS response. This involves supporting the National AIDS Council (NAC) in its efforts to coordinate the national response, strengthening the capacity of Provincial and District AIDS Task Forces (PATFs and DATFs), and supporting civil society organizations in their efforts to coordinate HIV/AIDS response in their sector. The third objective is to strengthen and expand workplace HIV/AIDS programs. This involves implementing the SHARe II HIV/AIDS Workplace Programs Core Package, expanding and replicating efforts in the private sector, and expanding and replicating efforts in the public sector. The fourth objective is to strengthen collaboration and coordination of HIV/AIDS activities with the GRZ, USG-funded partners, and other stakeholders. This involves supporting joint planning with and buy-in of programs of HIV implementers and stakeholders to GRZ plans and strategies, supporting NAC coordination of the national HIV/AIDS response, and supporting USG-funded partners in their efforts to address HIV/AIDS. The project has made significant progress in the first quarter of 2012-2013. The project has supported the development of a concept paper on HIV/AIDS leadership, identified stakeholders and agreed on mechanisms of collaboration, and provided support to traditional leaders, members of parliament, influential opinion-leaders, and religious leaders. The project has also supported the revision of the National HIV/AIDS/STI/TB Policy of 2005, the formulation of the National Alcohol Policy, and the formulation of the National HIV/AIDS Workplace Policy. The project has also made progress in strengthening the capacity of coordinating structures to sustain the HIV/AIDS response. The project has supported the NAC in the training of trainers on the District Coordination Toolkit, and has provided technical assistance to DATF operational and M&E plans. The project has also supported the Network of Zambian People Living with HIV – NZP+ in their efforts to coordinate HIV/AIDS response in their sector. The project has also made progress in strengthening and expanding workplace HIV/AIDS programs. The project has implemented the SHARe II HIV/AIDS Workplace Programs Core Package, expanded and replicated efforts in the private sector, and expanded and replicated efforts in the public sector. Overall, the SHARe II Project in Zambia has made significant progress in its first quarter of 2012-2013. The project has supported the development of policies and guidelines, strengthened the capacity of coordinating structures, and expanded and replicated workplace HIV/AIDS programs. The project continues to work towards its goal of contributing to the reduction of new HIV infections, improving access to HIV/AIDS services, and enhancing the quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS.