press releases
United States Backs Zambia’s Hiv/Aids Workplace Policy For Judiciary
LusakaSeptember 11, 2006
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LUSAKA, Zambia – The U.S. Government has praised the Zambian judiciary for recognizing the importance of having an HIV/AIDS policy in the workplace and called for greater efforts to dispel stigma and discrimination. Speaking on Monday, September 11 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Lusaka during the rollout ceremony of the judiciary’s HIV/AIDS workplace policy document, U.S. Embassy Charge d’Affaires Andrew Passen saluted Zambia for its regional leadership in recognizing the impact that HIV and AIDS is having on its justice system, and taking the first critical steps to address these issues in a policy document.
The HIV/AIDS pandemic has affected the judiciary as much as other elements of Zambian society. A 2005 U.S. Government-backed study by Boston University found that all members of the Zambian judiciary system — judges, lawyers, court reporters and lawmakers — are vulnerable to and affected by HIV and AIDS in their professional and personal lives. According to the study, chronic illness is responsible for 25% of attrition in the court system, 20% of all losses of police prosecutors and 14% of case dismissals.
The discouraging findings from the study prompted the Chief Justice of Zambia and members of his judiciary team to shape the workplace response to the epidemic. The policy development was supported by funding from the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and with support from USAID program partners, PACT/Zambia and CHAMP. The policy document will serve as a guideline to the judiciary on how to handle HIV and AIDS-related issues, and will inform employees on ways to seek protection against the disease. It also will promote proactive steps to enable those affected by HIV and AIDS to live healthy and productive lives.
Mr. Passen commended the initiative by Chief Justice Ernest Sakala and his staff, and expressed hope that the judiciary’s workplace policy will provide a confidential and supportive environment to employees affected by and living with HIV and AIDS. He emphasized the unwavering support of the American people to Zambians in their fight against HIV and AIDS and the U.S. Government’s commitment to mitigating the impact of the disease across all levels of the judiciary and throughout Zambia.
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