SNALA Declaration on HIV/AIDS

A Declaration by Mayors and Municipal Leaders of the Cities and Town of Swaziland on HIV/AIDS

 

PREAMBLE:

We, the leaders and representatives of local governments of the Kingdom of Swaziland:

Firmly concede that the HIV/AIDS epidemic is indeed a national crisis as declared by His Majesty King Mswati III;

Considering that local governments, as an integral part of the national structure of governance, is [sic.] the level of government closest to the citizens and therefore is [sic.] well placed to respond to the many challenges posed by the HIV/AIDS epidemic;

Realising that the threat and propensity of the pandemic to critically impact on the way of life of the Swazi population;

Deeply concerned that the towns and cities of Swaziland are becoming increasingly flooded by street kids, orphans, affected families who try to make ends meet through street vending and other means that will in the long term adversely impact on sustainable urban development;

Recognising that national and international efforts to fight the scourge need to be augmented at local (grassroots) level;

We thus affirm our commitment and resolve to the Alliance of Mayors and Municipal Leaders on HIV/AIDS in Africa and to the Abidjan Declaration.

We commit ourselves and our respective local governments to the following:

  1. Creating an enabling environment wherein multi-faceted approaches to HIV prevention and care of infected and affected persons can develop;
  2. Providing the necessary institutional capacity and financial support however possible to the already existing NGO structures and HIV/AIDS programmes;
  3. Supporting and fund-raising for programmes and campaigns towards the HIV/AIDS fight;
  4. Raising awareness and changing attitudes on stigmatisation, denial, rape, incest, multiple partners and other unsafe practices;
  5. Developing programmes to reduce the socio-economic impact of HIV/AIDS in cities and towns.

In endorsing the above we, the leaders of local governments of Swaziland, hereby sign this declaration at Manzini on the 28th day of January 2000.

Manzini City Council
Mbabane City Council
Nhlangano Town Council
Piggs Peak Town Council
Siteki Town Council
Hlatikulu Town Board
Lavumisa Town Board
Mankayane Town Board
Ezulwini Town Board
Ngwenya Town Board
Vuvulane Town Board