Page 155 - UGU Dstrct Mun IDP Report '21-22

3.7.12 HIV/AIDS Programme
The Special Programmes Unit coordinates the functioning and the implementation for the HIV and AIDS programmes in the district. The coordination is done through working together with the government departments in the district lead by Department of Health as a key department in relation to HIV and AIDS programmes. The district municipality also works with local municipalities (Umzumbe, Ray Nkonyeni, Umdoni and Umuziwabantu) Civil Society Sector, as well as district supporting partners.
The HIV programme is focused on the 8goals (below) as per National Strategic Plan for HIV, TB and STIs:
• Goal 1: To accelerate prevention to reduce new HIV, TB and STI infections
• Goal 2: To reduce morbidity and mortality by providing HIV, TB and STIs treatment, care and adherence support for all
• Goal 3: To reach all key and vulnerable populations with customised and targeted interventions
• Goal 4: To address the social and structural drivers if HIV, TB and STI infections
• Goal 5: To ground the response to HIV, TB and STIs in human rights principles and approaches
• Goal 6: To promote leadership and shared accountability for a sustainable response to HIV, TB and STIs
• Goal 7: To mobilise resources to support the achievement of NSP goals and ensure a sustainable response
• Goal 8: To strengthen strategic information to drive progress towards achievements of NSP goals
The district has established District AIDS Council and Ugu District Civil society forum through which on an annual basis, programmes such as, Awareness Campaign; World AIDS Day; Nutritional Supplements; and provision of support to PLHIV sector programme are implemented on an annual basis. Programmes achieved through these Programmes:
• Supporting the Civil Society structure
• Functional District AIDS Council with full support of Political Leadership. Members of civil society being represented in the Council.
• Continuous reporting and attendance to the Provincial AIDS Council
• Good relations with partners working in the district.
• Participation in the District Nerve centre meetings
• Participating in the She Conquers campaign committee and Adolescent Youth Forum-meeting monthly and supporting
various activities which deal directly with the 5 She conquers objectives: i.e.
• Decrease new HIV infections in adolescent girls and young women by at least 30%
• Decrease teenage pregnancy by at least 30%
• Keep girls in schools until matric-increase retention by 20%
• Decrease gender base and sexual violence by 10%
• Increase economic opportunities for young girls by 10%
• Participation in the Adolescent, Youth and Young Women (AGYW) programmes which has various partners working in the
district including Dreams, FHI360, CCI, and Broadbeach.
• Participation in the various meetings coordinated by the Office of the Premier, HIV, AIDS Directorate.
3.7.13 Rights of a Child
The Convention on the Rights of the Child defines a child as “every person below the age of eighteen (18) years unless under the law applicable to the child”. The Rights of the Child Programme is the responsibility of government institutions including municipalities to create an environment that is child-friendly; prioritizes and protects children’s rights. Pre-primary education is seen as a vital grounding to a learner’s ability to grasp concepts later on in their schooling career. Very few learners are registered in pre-Grade R classes and only 8 pre-primary schools are registered in the district.
Some of the key challenges and obstacles hindering the growth of ECD Centres include and not limited to minimal funding, lack of buy-in by parents, absence of adequate learning materials and resources and qualified educators. The District Growth Development Plan has identified a number of interventions required to ensure early childhood development. The district has established a Right of the Child Programme to address these gaps which is based on the following pillars:
• Facilitate the co-ordination, collaboration and synergy in the promotion, protection and fulfilment of children’s rights in Ugu District.
• Strengthen the capacity, systems and processes relating to the realization of children’s rights.
• Provide a platform for government and other stakeholders to share information, collaborate in initiatives and promote
best practices.
• 4 Pillars of Child Welfare (National Plan of Action for Children of South Africa)
IDP REVIEW 153