By Moses Magadza

WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA – The Secretary-General of the SADC Parliamentary Forum, Ms Boemo Sekgoma, has called on parliamentarians across Southern Africa to intensify efforts to promote condom use, eliminate stigma and domesticate the SADC Model Law on HIV and AIDS as part of a renewed push to end AIDS as a public health threat.

In a statement marking International Condom Day on 13 February, the Secretary-General reaffirmed the pivotal importance of condoms as a “proven, effective and affordable tool” in the prevention of HIV, other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and unintended pregnancies.

She noted that condoms remain “one of the most accessible HIV prevention methods available” and stressed that they are most effective when used consistently and correctly, alongside complementary strategies such as abstinence, faithfulness, HIV testing and counselling, treatment adherence, prevention of mother-to-child transmission and regular health screening.

Citing the World Health Organisation, the Secretary-General highlighted global evidence on effectiveness: “98 per cent of women whose male partners use male condoms correctly over a span of one year will be protected from unplanned pregnancy and the corresponding efficacy of female condoms stands at 95 per cent.”

She described both male and female condoms as “a cardinal tool in the enhancement of sexual and reproductive rights which undergird the right of women to physical integrity and choices concerning their bodies.”

Reinforcing the SADC PF’s legislative leadership in the region, Ms Sekgoma recalled that the Forum developed the SADC Model Law on HIV and AIDS, which provides “a comprehensive framework for strengthening national responses, protecting human rights, reducing stigma and discrimination, and improving access to essential prevention, treatment, care and support services.”

She called on Member Parliaments to “domesticate and leverage on provisions of this Model Law in line with national contexts,” positioning the instrument as central to rights-based and evidence-informed responses to SRHR, HIV and AIDS.

The Secretary-General urged parliamentarians to deploy their constitutional mandates decisively. She called on them to use their legislative, oversight and representative functions to: end stigma and discrimination related to HIV and condom use; prevent stock-outs of condoms and other essential sexual and reproductive health commodities; promote equitable access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services; and support public education that frames condom use “as an act of care, responsibility and protection for loved ones.”

She further highlighted the Forum’s longstanding advocacy for Parliaments to “vote enabling budgets which allow adequate access to condoms along with sexuality education and sensitisation campaigns to guide citizens on their use.”

The Secretary-General reaffirmed the SADC Parliamentary Forum’s commitment to working with national parliaments, governments, civil society and development partners to strengthen HIV prevention efforts and to support regional and national actions aimed at ending AIDS as a public health threat.

On International Condom Day, she made a direct appeal to leaders and citizens alike “to choose prevention by promoting the sensitisation and dissemination of condom usage while eliminating stigmas and taboos that undermine sexual and reproductive health rights.”

• Moses Magadza is the Media and Communications Manager at the SADC Parliamentary Forum