Browsing by Author "Strand Per"

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    African legislatures and HIV/AIDS : an exploratory analysis
    (2011) Searle, Alexandra; Mattes, Robert; Strand Per
    Since 1981 AIDS has killed more than 25 million people world-wide, the majority of whom lived within developing countries. The worst affected region, Sub Saharan Africa, currently has 3.5% of the world’s population yet 37% of the world’s people living with HIV. In light of the magnitude of the pandemic in the region it has been increasingly acknowledged that not only are HIV and AIDS health issues but also pervasive development issues due to the impact they have on national socioeconomic development. Unsurprisingly a disease of ‘sex and drugs’4 is a highly controversial and politicized issue. An effective response represents a serious challenge for national governance institutions, particularly within the unique and complex socio political environments of the region. The need for ‘democratic governance’ and a ‘multi-sectoral’ approach within the HIV & AIDS response highlights the critical role of national legislatures. Due to the severity and scope of the pandemic there is an assumption that elected representatives would be in the forefront of the response. Effective legislatures are the sine qua non of a representative democracy, and arguably an important vehicle through which to drive the HIV national response. Legislatures represent a cross section of society and play a central role in the coordination and implementation of national responses. Further understanding and explanation of legislative responses around HIV & AIDS speak to issues of democratic governance and the need to improve overall accountability and transparency within these institutions.