Tonata PLHIV Network achieved a key advocacy milestone through participation in the Bi-Annual Conservancy Meeting, which brought together stakeholders from the Zambezi and Kavango East regions, including traditional leaders, as well as representatives from Zambia and Botswana. During the meeting, Tonata raised critical issues affecting PLHIV and PWD including stigma and discrimination, gender-based violence, teenage pregnancy, and treatment defaulting due to hunger. A strong call was made for conservancies to include PLHIV and PWD support groups in their membership benefit schemes.
The advocacy was well received by key leaders, including representatives from IRDNC and the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, who endorsed the integration of social support initiatives within conservancies. Commitments were made to convene a follow-up meeting with conservancy leadership to further address the needs of vulnerable groups. This engagement marks an important step toward greater inclusion of PLHIV and PWD in community development structures, with the potential to improve both livelihoods and treatment outcomes
Additionally, a meeting organized by the Office of the president was held in Oshikoto Region, where Tonata mobilized 125 PWD to participate. The group effectively communicated their priority needs, including improved accessibility to essential facilities such as toilets and portable showers. This engagement provided a critical platform for PWD to voice their concerns directly to decision-makers, contributing to more inclusive planning and service delivery