Implementation of regional and international HIV prevention - SAfAIDS

10• The available legal frameworks in the two countries have not addressed existing negativepractices which have impacted on HIV transmission in a negative way. Men dominatewomen in all aspects of life and culture. Women are not equals to men in society, andtherefore, they are not empowered to stand up for their rights. They were, and still are,socialised to be subservient to men, so much that even family laws tend to work againstthem. In Swaziland, women have limited property rights, they are home-makers andcaregivers to the sick, leaving them exposed and most at risk of accidental infection withHIV. Moreover, polygamy, inheritance and beliefs that having sex with a virgin cures HIV allmake women, especially young women and girls, vulnerable to infection. Swaziland is thusin a state of emergency, albeit, not well known by many.• It is evident from the survey that both countries have adopted a multi-sectoral approachin planning and resource mobilisation. Systems have been put in place to allow forthe participation of beneficiaries and communities in the development of sectoraloperational programmes that go through the government planning and budgetingprocedures. Priorities related to HIV and AIDS prevention, care and treatment are set,based on a needs analysis and rational policy choices. The priorities seek to addressthe needs of different segments of the population through clearly outlined strategies.This is critical, as it ensures community ownership of interventions, which in turn notonly improves the implementation of international conventions and declarations, butalso results in rational prioritisation of interventions, thereby allowing for efficiency andeffectiveness in achieving set targets and goals in a national HIV response.