Why parliamentarians?

Political will and leadership are fundamental to improving women’s access to health services. Efforts to increase women’s access to health services have fallen short in many developing countries because of underlying economic, political, social and cultural constraints. Parliamentarians are well-placed to promote gender sensitive health policies, whether through legislative mandates, acting as public role models and spokespersons for gender equality and public openness about HIV and AIDS, or supporting development of a sustainable national health infrastructure.

In Uganda, parliamentarians made a significant contribution to the fight against HIV and AIDS by establishing a parliamentary HIV/AIDS committee, which helped to mobilize leadership. The parliamentarians also helped reduce stigma by speaking openly about the epidemic and embracing people who were living with HIV/AIDS.

The Southern African Development Committee (SADC) Parliamentary Forum already has initiated activity on HIV and AIDS by establishing specific recommendations for members and then monitoring which members have taken the agreed-upon steps, using peer pressure to encourage action.