The Civil Society Engagement in the Era Of HIV/AIDS: lessons learnt from local organisations

1. The Civil Society Engagement in the Era Of HIV/AIDS: lessons learnt from local organisations By Bharam Namanya Executive Director, Community Health Alliance Uganda Uganda Knowledge Exchange Forum ISSUES FOR PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION IN THE DELIVERY OF POLICY ON HIV / AIDS Makerere University June 20th 2016

2. Outline • Introduction-Clarifying Concepts • Role of CSOs in HIV and AIDS response • Current overall progress on HIV in Uganda Emerging trends • Main challenges to CSO’s response to HIV in Uganda • Lessons learnt • Recommendations for improvement in engagement • Conclusion

3. Introduction • A civil society is an outcome of, among others, the efforts of civil society organizations, and civil society in turn is critical in strengthening and aiding the work of civil society organizations Clarifying Concepts • Civil society is very diverse and represents an array of actors • CSOs are homogeneous-civil society organizations are one and the same • Civil society is always good -lot of diversity within CSOs where some are looked at as people’s agency and movements, civil society organisations sometimes reproduce the very injustice in the society that they are part of • Civil Society is just a western idea - this is a classic diversionary tactic. CSOs are accused of being agents of western ideas and interests, largely on account of their sources of funding • Progressive CSOs always support government positions - CSOs preferred by government are those that have as their mainstay service delivery that supplements what government does • People who work in civil society organizations are all self-seekers – there are often accusations that those who work for CSOs are interested in nothing but creating employment and making money for themselves.

4. Civil Society in Uganda: WHO and WHAT are we? • concept civil society remains fluid in theory, but in practice civil society is easier to fathom • ‘An associational realm between the state and the family populated by organisations which are separate from the state, enjoy autonomy in relation to the state and are formed voluntarily by members of society to protect or extend their interests or values’ • Civil Society in Uganda is a very diverse community • It is considered as “public space” between the state and the private citizens. • Generally taken to mean non-government sector; hence, a CSO includes any neither informal nor formal organization established to promote and advance the well being of its members or the community • It is non-government, not for profit and neither directly/indirectly owned nor fully/partially managed by government.

5. What is the role of CSOs in HIV and AIDS response? • CSOs have been key in raising awareness • CSOs have provided research to inform government and community Interventions • CSOs have provided technical Legal Support to government to develop HIV & pro-health responsive laws and policies • CSOs have held government accountable for non-provision of basic health consumables in public health facilities • Lobbying for increased international AIDS funding, domestic funding and demanding for accountability

6. Current overall progress on HIV in Uganda(UNAIDS estimates) While new HIV infections increased between 2004 and 2010, between 2010 and 2014 they declined by 27% overall, 28% for males and 25% for females. AIDS-related deaths have declined by 56% between 2004 and 2014. The decline was greater for females (66%) than for males (44%).

7. Progress on HIV for adolescents & young people (UNAIDS estimates) Between 2004 and 2014, new HIV infections declined by 13% with no significant difference between males and females. Over this period there was a 12% decrease in AIDS-related deaths for AGYW; however, there was a 14% increase for males.

8. Emerging trends • Shifts in funding from the CSOs headquartered in the North to local CSOs have led to an upsurge of national NGOs over international NGOs and compelled international NGOs to register local chapters • Channeling of funds through NGOs by donors • Restrictive regulatory policy/legal environments on CSO’s registration and operations

9. Main challenges to CSO’s response to HIV in Uganda • Criminalisation of HIV exposure and transmission, and key populations • Weak internal governance and reporting systems so as to enhance accountability and transparency • Declining financing to HIV and Health sector from development partners

10. What have we learnt? • Government is not ready for accountability and human rights CSOs are championing • Accountability- openness of policy makers and government officials • Access to information • Lack for political will • Political trust and credibility • Capacity and skills of CSOs

11. What have we learnt? • Conflict of interest within both the public sector and CSOs • Use of evidence for engage is still limited • The influence of donor agendas on CSO work further weakens their credibility in the eyes of policymakers • CSOs understanding the political context of the country • CSOs’ sustained ‘engagement’ with policymakers • CSOs need to listen to governments and realise when they are asking too much. • Importance of robust evidence-access to solid, appropriate research that produces accurate, usable evidence • Limited coordination, collaboration and ‘united voice’ among CSOs • Using the media as channel of communication to wider stakeholders • Establishment of ‘influence networks’ or issue specific coalitions e.g on HIV Bill

12. What can be done to improve engagement? • Examine internal CSOs processed and systems that can enhance ability to engage the stakeholders • Engage the stakeholders to appreciate the roles of CSOs • Conduct systematic research on how CSOs in Uganda are influencing policy processes, especially from the point of view of those actually involved in the policymaking process at national and district level.

13. What is the Conclusion? • The nature of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in development work is changing, but how successfully – and leading where? While there is still a strong demand for CSOs to ‘sustain the good work’ in terms of direct service delivery in HIV and Health in general, there is also a growing need for civil society to participate in policy processes, demand for accountability in order to bring about sustained long-term change. Surprisingly, there is very little systematic research on how CSOs all in Uganda are influencing HIV and Health related policy and demand for accountability processes

14. Thank You • I end with a quote that should inspire you to do something. Decades ago, at the height of the non-violent defiance movement against a repressive regime in India, Mahatma Ghandi remarked, ‘… you may never know the results that come of your actions, but if you do nothing, there will be no result …’ • I believe that as individuals and collectively, we cannot only do something, but in fact a great deal! Thank You