Lusaka, Zambia – The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has convened two concurrent technical meetings in Lusaka, focusing on Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) and HIV. The gatherings bring together Focal Persons and Programme Managers on SRH and HIV ahead of the Joint Meeting of SRHR, HIV Managers, and National AIDS Commission Directors scheduled for 8 October 2025.
Ms. Duduzile Simelane, Director of Social and Human Development at the SADC Secretariat, highlighted the urgent need to prioritize SRHR and HIV on the region’s development agenda. She noted that SADC continues to face a disproportionate burden of new HIV infections, making coordinated and strategic responses critical.
During the SRH technical meeting, participants are contributing to the Mid-Term Review of the SADC SRHR Strategy. They are also refining the Strategy and Methodology for Minimum Standards to integrate SRHR, HIV, and Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in emergency contexts. These documents will be presented to SADC Ministers of Health and HIV in November 2025 for further adoption.
The HIV response meeting is reviewing the 2025 SADC HIV Annual Progress Report and examining the potential of emerging technologies to enhance HIV care and prevention. Participants are also analysing the HIV and health financing landscape to understand its implications for programming across the region.
Both meetings are occurring amid persistent structural barriers that hinder access to SRHR and HIV services. Stigma, discrimination, gender-based violence, and socio-economic disparities continue to limit service uptake. Fiscal constraints and changes in donor funding further challenge the sustainability of national response efforts.
The upcoming Joint Meeting aims to evaluate progress toward the 2025 HIV/TB and SRHR/HIV integration targets. It will focus on addressing inequalities in service access, fostering collaboration among Member States, partners, and communities, and advancing the integration of HIV and SRHR services to ensure comprehensive, rights-based healthcare across the SADC region.
These technical meetings underscore SADC’s commitment to strengthening regional cooperation and implementing effective, evidence-based strategies in the fight against HIV while advancing sexual and reproductive health rights.