Presentation during the 4 th Uganda AIDS partnership Forum, Munyonyo, 31 st January 2006

1. OVER VIEW OF THE OVC POLICY AND PROGRAMME PLAN Presentation during the 4th Uganda AIDS partnership Forum, Munyonyo, 31st January 2006 By James Kaboggoza-Ssembatya, OVC Focal point person, Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development

2. Status • 56% of the Uganda 26.8 Millions are children • 1.8 Million are orphans (14.6% of children) • About 3 million are categorised as vulnerable children • 1 in every 4 households has at least 1 orphan • 40% of Uganda’s households are living below poverty line

3. Background • MGLSD in conjunction with other stakeholders developed a National Orphans Policy (NOP) and the National Strategic Program Plan for the Intervention (NSPPI) • Launched in June 2005 • Addresses not only HIV/AIDS orphans but all other OVC since the challenges and concerns are the same

4. Guiding frameworks • The National Orphans Policy provides a framework for OVC response in Uganda • It emphasizes the multisectoral, integrated, gender sensitive, rights based approach to reach OVC

5. NSPPI • Provides a strategic framework guiding implementation of the NOP • Provides principles and guidelines for a comprehensive, coordinated approach to planning, implementation and M&E of OVC interventions • It is an integral part of the Uganda Social Development Investment Plan (SDIP) and PEAP, within the framework of the MDGs and UNGASS

6. Guiding principles • Building on the Human Rights-Based Approach to Programming • Making the Family and Community the First Line of Response • Focusing on the Most Vulnerable Children and Communities • Reducing Vulnerability • Facilitating Community Participation and Empowerment • Promoting Gender Equity • Treating Recipients with Respect

7. Guiding principles • Reducing Discrimination and Stigmatisation • Ensuring the Social Inclusion of Marginalised Groups • Ensuring the Participation of Vulnerable Children and Families • Strengthening Partnerships • Delivering Integrated and Holistic Services • Supporting Services Delivery through Decentralization • Designing Age-Sensitive Programmes

8. Objectives of the NOP and the NSPPI • Create a conducive environment for the survival, growth, development and participation of vulnerable children and households • Deliver integrated and equitably distributed quality essential services • Strengthen the legal, policy and institutional frameworks • Enhance capacities of Households, Communities and other implementing agents and agencies

9. Strategies for implementation • Direct interventions reaching the children and their households • Mobilisation of resources, advocacy at various levels and promotion of best practices realized • Collaborations of the Ministry with other Ministries, CSOs, the private sector and local government • Provision of leadership and coordination of implementation of activities • Monitoring and Evaluation of the implementation process and intervention

10. Building Block I Socio-economic security Food and nutrition security Care and support Conflict management Building Block IV Capacity Enhancement Building Block II Education Health Psycho-social support Building Block III Child protection Legal advice and representation CORE PROGRAMME AREAS

11. Activities to date • Coordinating various funding mechanisms • (Global fund - Round 3 specifically targeting to support the implementation of the NSPPI for OVC • Core Initiative granting mechanism • To date three granting rounds (2 ABY, 1 OVC) - To date 22 ABY and 11 OVC grants issued to cover the 10 core program areas of OVC and 1 core area of the ABY (abstinence) • Development of a third party granting mechanism

12. Activities • Disseminate the NSPPI to stakeholders (Govt, CSOs, FBOs, districts (39) and subcounties • Redefining the NOSC and the TWGs to guide and inform implementation • Lobbying partners and other OVC stakeholders for more support to implement the NSPPI. • Development and implementation of various manuals, toolkits and guidelines to direct implementation and coordination of OVC activities

13. Activities • Development of the OVC MIS to measure the OVC response (national indicators developed) • Designing and implementing the OVC capacity building plan in the Ministry and other partners up to district level • Development of the OVC communication and advocacy strategy • Development of the OVC Website

14. Challenges of implementing NSPPI activities • Resources to implement the plan • Lack of National Ministry vote to implement OVC activities, mostly targeting donor funds • Harmonising needs of various sources of funds for OVC in terms of guidelines, requirements and focal area coverage. • How to enhance districts capacities, mobilization and how to monitor and coordinate implementation of OVC interventions at district level and lower levels

15. Challenges… • Coordinating and Monitoring of CSOs (NGOs, CBOs, FBOs) with independent funding sources and spread all over the country • Defining outcome and output for quality programming • Strengthening local governments and CSO partnerships

16. Challenges • Integrating HIV prevention, care and treatment with traditional OVC programs • Geographical and programmatic gaps • Ensuring holistic approach in OVC service delivery

17. Conclusion • The implementation of the NOP and NSPPI requires a coordinated multisectoral approach in order to avoid duplication of the minimal resources targeting the OVC

18. The end Thank you