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About BONELA
The Botswana Network on Ethics, Law and HIV/AIDS is a non-governmental organisation committed to integrating an ethical, legal and human rights approach into Botswana’s response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. To download the Bonela brochure click on the language of your choice. (English, Setswana)
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Brief History
The idea for BONELA was launched as a component of the Shared Rights, Shared Responsibilities Project in September 1995 and registered under the Societies Act in early 2002.
BONELA is governed by a Board, most recently elected in 2005 and reflecting a range of professional experience. The daily work of BONELA is carried out by its full-time staff. With a non-profit mandate, BONELA primarily receives financial assistance from local and international donor organisations but also raises funds through the sale of publications, other activities, and the support of individuals and members.
BONELA also serves as the secretariat for the National AIDS Council (NAC) Sector on Ethics, Law and Human Rights. The NAC, chaired by his Excellency the President of Botswana, is the highest body in the country focused on developing strategies to combat the HIV epidemic. The Sector is chaired by the Law Society of Botswana and is aimed at facilitating respect for human rights enshrined in the constitution of Botswana and international human rights instruments with respect to the prevention, management and control of HIV/AIDS.
Objectives
- To integrate an ethical, legal and human rights dimension into the response to the epidemic
- To strengthen NGOs to participate effectively in the policy forums in Botswana and at the international level
- To assist in promoting and encouraging networking among NGOs and individuals with similar goals to facilitate joint initiatives at solving problems
- To promote a culture of self-reliance and encourage committed participation from NGO members and their communities
- To address the human rights of people affected by HIV/AIDS in order to eradicate the discrimination and marginalisation of such people
- To support public health interests by establishing an environment that enables people to protect themselves and others from infection without the violation of basic human rights
- To lobby against the use of punitive action as a legal instrument to address the epidemic since this approach has proved to be ineffective and, in fact, detrimental to struggle against AIDS
- To educate the general public on issues of human rights within the context of HIV/AIDS and train stakeholders nationally to assist in the dissemination of such information
- To research the human rights situation of people affected by HIV and AIDS in Botswana and to network with stakeholders in the region to establish and maintain a common response to ethical and legal challenges
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