Government Frustrates BONELA

Speaking to Monitor on Friday, BONELA acting director, Uyapo Ndadi said there has been no attempt by government to debate the law or at least to make other laws compliant with it. He wondered what happened to the outcome of the consultation process some MPs started in 2007 on HIV/AIDS law in Botswana. "Government is silent on it despite having made a promise that the report will be availed within 90 days after the consultation," he said.

The SADC-PF model law seeks to protect people living with HIV/AIDS from any form of discrimination. It gives NGOs the power to institute legal action for and on behalf of a person living with or are affected by HIV even if that person is not a member of such organisations. The proposed law requires people living with HIV/AIDS to undergo training to ensure self-reliance and meaningful participation in the design and implementation of HIV/AIDS programmes at national and community level.