Namibia is a country in Southern Africa whose western border is the Atlantic Ocean. It shares land borders with Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south and east. It gained independence from South Africa on 21 March 1990, following the Namibian War of Independence. Given the presence of the arid Namib Desert, it is one of the least densely populated countries in the world.

Namibia, situated in Southwestern part of Africa, has an estimated population of 2.1million people (Preliminary Census report 2011). Namibia has a generalized, mature HIV epidemic with heterosexual transmission being the primary mode of transmission. The Namibia Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) of 2006/07 reported the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) at 449 per 100,000 live births. In 2007 the contraceptive prevalence rate was 47% while the unmet need for stood at 7% (MoHSS, 2007).

The project in Namibia will work towards strengthening linkages and integration between SRHR and HIV policies, programs and services through a 4 year sub-regional project between 2011 and 2015.

 Key achievements to date

• Completion of a national Rapid Assessment to determine the level of linkages and integration of SRHR and HIV in Namibia in May 2011.
• The formation of two technical committees on SRHR and HIV integration under the leadership of the MoHSS.
• Technical consultations with national stakeholders to review findings and recommendations of the SRHR and HIV linkages assessment.
• Advocacy with high level officials and parliamentarians to sensitise them on the benefits of SRHR and HIV linkages and integration.
• Analysis of the National Strategic Framework for HIV and AIDS from an SRH perspective.
• A Legal Assessment of barriers to PLHIV and SRHR is currently underway
• Initiation of 5 pilots for SRHR and HIV service integration in health care facilities.

To find out more about this project click here

Resources

Making good ‘people sense’: Summary on the project of Linking and integrating Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and HIV in Namibia. – Poster and Flyers
Year 2013 | Authors: Ministry of Health and Social Services, Namibia, UNAIDS, UNFPA, EU
(Download Flyer 1) (Download Flyer 2) (Download Poster)

Research

Rapid assessment of sexual and reproductive health and HIV linkages: Namibia.
Year 2012 | Authors:  IPPF, UNFPA, WHO, UNAIDS, Ministry of Health and Social Services, Namibia.
This summary highlights the experiences, results and actions from the implementation of the Rapid Assessment Tool for Sexual and Reproductive Health and HIV Linkages in Namibia.
(Download PDF)

Analysis of National Strategic Framework for HIV and AIDS Response in Namibia (2010/11 2015/16) from Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Perspectives.
Year 2010 | Authors: Ministry of Health and Social Services, Namibia.
(Download PDF)

For further information about the SRHR and HIV linkages project in Namibia, please contact:

Ms. Maggy Nghatanga
Director of Primary Health Care Services and Chair of Technical Committee
Ministry of Health and Social Services, Windhoek Namibia
Email: mnghatanga@mhss.gov.na
Tel: + 264 203 9111

Ms. Grace Hidinua
National Programme Officer – HIV Prevention
United Nations Population Fund
O: 264 61 2046136

Ms. Selma Naimhwaka
Project Coordinator
Email: naimhwakas@NACOP.NET
Mobile: +264 812740410
F: 264 61 2046204