REGIONAL INDIC ATIVE STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT PL AN continues to pose to sustainable development of the region and its integration agenda, SADC has revised and 5 7 especially in the implementation of the RISDP. • Facilitating technical response and networks by strengthened its Multi-sectoral HIV and AIDS Strategic providing mechanisms and frameworks for the Framework and Programme of Action 2003-2007. This development of guidelines and exchange of best Strategic Framework is a multi-dimensional response to the practices in the major intervention areas such as HIV and AIDS pandemic by the region. It is aimed at mainstreaming of HIV and AIDS, Prevention of Mother intensifying measures and actions to address the to Child Transmission (PMTCT) support to orphans, devastating and pervasive impact of the HIV and AIDS home based care, and treatment. pandemic in a comprehensive and complementary way. The • Coordinate and facilitating the monitoring of Regional focus of the response is both on the prevention of HIV and and Global Commitments with respect to Abuja, MDG AIDS and on the mitigation of its impact in order to ensure and UNGASS targets for HIV and AIDS and related sustainable human development of Member States. indicators, and the publication of regular reviews for SADC as a whole to supplement the monitoring being 4.3.2 Overall Goal The overall goal of the SADC HIV and AIDS intervention is to decrease the number of HIV and AIDS infected and affected individuals and families in the SADC region so that HIV and AIDS is no longer a threat to public health and to the socio-economic development prospects of Member States 4.3.3 Focal Intervention Areas • Reduce the incidence of HIV and AIDS infection among the most vulnerable groups in SADC. • Mitigate the socio-economic impact of HIV and AIDS. • Review, develop and harmonise policies, strategies undertaken at the level of individual countries. 4.3.5 4.3.5 TaRGETS TARGETS By 2010 at least 95 per cent of young men and women By 2010 at least 95 per cent of young men and aged 15 to 24 have access to information, education, women aged 15 to 24 have access to information, including peer education and youth specific HIV education, including peer education and youth education. specific HIV education. By 2010, Member States would have reduced the By 2010, Member States would have reduced proportion of infants infected with HIV by 50 percent. the proportion of infants infected with HIV by 50 All Member States should halt and begin to reverse percent. the spread of HIV and AIDS by 2015. All Member States should halt and begin to reverse the spread of HIV and AIDS by 2015. and legislation relating to HIV prevention, care and support, and treatment within SADC. • Mobilise and co-ordinate resources for the HIV and 4.4 GENDER EQUALITY AND DEVELOPMENT AIDS multi-sectoral response for a multi-sectoral response to HIV and AIDS in the SADC region. 4.3.4 Strategy • • Coordinate and harmonise the development of 4.4.1 Introduction Women contribute a very significant share to the income of their households, especially in agriculture. Research shows that improved educational and income-earning policies and strategies in major intervention areas, opportunities for women reduce infant and maternal including prevention, care and treatment, provision of mortality; educated women have fewer and healthier ARVs, nutrition, traditional medicines, procurement children, who are more likely to attend school and and manufacturing of essential drugs and medical perform well. Gender equality therefore contributes to the supplies of HIV and AIDS. reduction of poverty and overall development. Develop and strengthen the capacity to undertake Despite this evidence, pervasive inequalities exist the mainstreaming of HIV and AIDS at all levels in between women and men in the SADC region. Women SADC, and to create the skills needed for the constitute the majority of the poor in the region, as a integration of HIV in all policies and programmes, result of their limited access to, and control over