Botswana

NEW YORK/GENEVA, 21 September 2023—UNAIDS has designated the First Lady of Botswana, Neo Jane Masisi, as a UNAIDS champion for the empowerment and engagement of adolescent girls and young women. UNAIDS Executive Director, Winnie Byanyima, confirmed the appointment during a meeting with Mrs Masisi during the 78^th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

“Her Excellency Mrs Masisi has a deep understanding of the structural barriers that are making adolescent girls and young women so vulnerable to HIV infection in Botswana and right across Africa,” said UNAIDS Executive Director, Winnie Byanyima. “Mrs Masisi is a fierce advocate for the rights of young women and girls and for the need to support them to stay in school, finish their education and receive the knowledge they need to help them thrive.”

Mrs Masisi has already been working closely with UNAIDS for several years as an advocate for young people. In her new role, Mrs Masisi will champion Education Plus, an initiative launched by UNAIDS, UNESCO, UNICEF, UNFPA and UN Women to prevent HIV infections through free universal, quality secondary education for all girls and boys in Africa, reinforced through comprehensive empowerment programmes. Botswana joined the initiative in June.

In Botswana, young girls aged 15-19 years old are seven times more likely to become infected with HIV than their male counterparts. During the meeting the First Lady said that surveys showed that between 2015 and 2019 young women and girls accounted for 36% of all new infections in Botswana and 19 are boys and 43 girls become infected every week.    

“I will be serving with this special title at a crucial moment. The SDGs are just around the corner and it is the last sprint to end AIDS by 2030,” said Mrs Masisi. “We will be discussing some hard issues to protect our children and young people. But the good thing about our communities today is that they realise that these are not ordinary times, and they know that doors that were closed, mouths that were sealed—its time they were opened. I remain resolute in directing energies to supporting young people in my country.”

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

In December 2021, Botswana became the first high HIV burden country to be certified by the WHO Global Validation Advisory Committee (GVAC) as having achieved a critical milestone along the path to eliminating vertical HIV transmission. As striking as what Botswana has achieved, however, is how it went about documenting this achievement—using the certification process as an avenue to empower women living with HIV and reinforce their fundamental rights.¹

Botswana is the first high HIV burden country to be certified for achieving the required indicators for the Silver Tier on the “Path to Elimination of HIV” criteria that were introduced in 2017. The Silver Tier requires an HIV case rate of fewer than 500 per 100 000 live births, a vertical HIV transmission rate of under 5% and the provision of antenatal care and antiretroviral treatment to more than 90% of pregnant women.

UNAIDS data show that over 95% of pregnant women in Botswana were receiving antiretroviral therapy in 2021, up from 77% in 2010. Vertical transmission rates were only 2.2%, down from 9.0% a decade earlier. According to a woman living with HIV in Kgalagadi South, “I have three children...I breastfed all three, and all of them were given medication for prevention of HIV.”

Botswana placed women living with HIV at the centre of the process of documenting the country’s prevention success. With the support of UNAIDS, the International Community of Women living with HIV oriented networks of women living with HIV to administer the human rights assessment tool to their networks in 10 of Botswana’s districts.² These networks led the process, and the Government of Botswana provided logistical support to ensure the engagement of women living with HIV within a safe space. Women living with HIV, who are represented on the National Validation Committee, also reviewed a draft of the national validation report.

GVAC validated that Botswana’s programmes and services to eliminate vertical HIV transmission are consistent with international, regional and national standards on human rights, gender equality and community engagement. As one woman living with HIV in Kweneng West remarked, “the nurses and health-care officers give the option for all to test-and-treat. It is always a clear choice, and not a forced one.”

95% OF PREGNANT WOMEN IN BOTSWANA WERE RECEIVING ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY IN 2021

The Botswana Ministry of Health, with the engagement of women living with HIV and the support of the Joint Programme, convened a workshop in May 2022 to foster partner and stakeholder involvement for ensuring that rights-based approaches are used to maintain the country’s Silver Tier certification—and its possible progression to the Gold Tier.

¹ As of December 2021, 15 countries and territories—Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia (HIV only), Belarus, Ber- muda, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Dominica, Malaysia, the Maldives, the Republic of Moldova (syphilis only), Montserrat, Sri Lanka, St Kitts and Nevis and Thailand—have been certified for eliminating vertical HIV and syphilis transmission. Countries apply using standardized criteria for the assessment of programme performance, data and laboratory sys- tems, and they ensure the integration of human rights, gender equality and community engagement under a process overseen by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), UNFPA, WHO and UNAIDS.

² These included the Botswana Network of People Living with HIV (BONEPWA+), Bomme Isago (a local partner of the International Community of Women living with HIV) and the Botswana Network on Ethics, Law and HIV/AIDS (BONELA).

The path to elimination of vertical transmission of HIV

• PATH TO ELIMINATION VALIDATION
  • BRONZE: 90% antenatal care coverage (at least one visit), 90% HIV testing coverage among pregnant women, 90% antiretroviral treatment coverage among pregnant women living with HIV Case rate of new paediatric HIV infections due to MTCT^a of ≤750 cases per 100 000 live births MTCT rate <5%
  • SILVER: 90% antenatal care coverage (at least one visit), 90% HIV testing coverage among pregnant women, 90% antiretroviral treatment coverage among pregnant women living with HIV Case rate of new paediatric HIV infections due to MTCT of ≤500 cases per 100 000 live births MTCT rate <5%
  • GOLD: 95% antenatal care coverage (at least one visit), 95% HIV testing coverage among pregnant women, 95% antiretroviral treatment coverage among pregnant women living with HIV Case rate of new paediatric HIV infections due to MTCT of ≤250 cases per 100 000 live births MTCT rate <5%
• FULL VALIDATION: 95% antenatal care coverage (at least one visit), 95% HIV testing coverage among pregnant women, 95% antiretroviral treatment coverage among pregnant women living with HIV Case rate of new paediatric HIV infections due to MTCT of ≤50/100 000 cases per 100 000 live births MTCT rate <5%

Source: Adapted from: Global guidance on criteria and processes for validation: elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B virus. Geneva: WHO; 2021 (https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240039360).

^a MTCT = mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

Brazzaville, Geneva, Nairobi, 2 December 2021 – Botswana has become the first high-burden country to be certified for achieving an important milestone on the path to eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV by the World Health Organization (WHO).

High-burden HIV countries are defined as those with more than 2% of pregnant women living with the virus. Botswana has achieved the “silver tier” status, which moves it closer to eliminating mother-to-child HIV transmission. WHO awards this certification to countries which have brought the mother-to-child HIV transmission rate to under 5 %; provided antenatal care and antiretroviral treatment to more than 90 % of pregnant women; and achieved an HIV case rate of fewer than 500 per 100,000 live births.

“This is a huge accomplishment for a country that has one of the most severe HIV epidemics in the world – Botswana demonstrates that an AIDS-free generation is possible,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “This groundbreaking milestone is a big step forward in ending AIDS on the continent and shows how visionary political leadership aligned with public health priorities can save lives. I look forward to other African countries also reaching this goal.”

Globally, 15 countries have been certified for eliminating mother-to-child HIV transmission. None of them had an epidemic as large as Botswana. The country’s feat to date on its journey to elimination is the result of a national response strategy spanning two decades. In 1999 and facing an HIV prevalence rate as high as 30%, Botswana initiated an aggressive programme to prevent mother-to-child transmission.

“Botswana’s pathfinding accomplishment demonstrates the remarkable progress that can be achieved when the needs of mothers living with HIV and their children are prioritized,” said Winnie Byanyima, UNAIDS Executive Director. “Children are among the groups left furthest behind in the HIV response. Addressing this inequality and preventing new HIV infections in children is critical if we are to end AIDS. Political commitment, strong leadership and the hard work of dedicated health care workers and communities in Botswana have delivered impressive results.”

Women living with HIV who do not receive antiretroviral (ARV) medicine have a 15–45% chance of transmitting the virus to their children during pregnancy, labour, delivery or breastfeeding. That risk drops to less than 5% if treatment is given to both mothers and children throughout the stages when transmission can occur. Botswana quickly achieved national ARV coverage before going on to implement increasingly effective regimens, following WHO guidance.

In 2013, Botswana became one of the first countries in the world to implement the so-called ‘Option B+’, a plan for treating all pregnant and breastfeeding women living with HIV with a highly effective lifelong triple antiretroviral treatment regimen at the time of diagnosis.

Mohamed Fall, UNICEF Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, asserted that the country’s progress could serve as an example for others.

“We applaud Botswana for this remarkable achievement, which serves as inspiration to other countries in Eastern and Southern Africa,” said Mr Fall. “The progress on prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV in this region is truly a public health success, with more than 1.7 million new infections in children averted since 2010. We look forward to congratulating other countries very soon and continuing the journey to full and sustained elimination over time.”

The global validation criteria and processes date to 2015, when UNAIDS, UNICEF, WHO and other partners created the Global Validation Advisory Committee to standardize the measurement of achievements for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis. In 2017 and in recognition of the achievements made by countries with a high burden of HIV that were demonstrating significant and sustained reductions in the mother-to-child transmission rate, new Path to Elimination criteria were introduced. The elimination agenda has broadened to a “triple elimination” of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B.

Botswana is now updating its guidance regarding syphilis and will expand its elimination objectives moving forward.

Please click the link below for audio-visual material: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1s9cONZBU2rkZtRZrpRGRXED2AJj5_3Yc?usp=sharing

UNICEF

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WHO

The World Health Organization contributes to a better future for people everywhere. Good health lays the foundation for vibrant and productive communities, stronger economies, safer nations and a better world. As the lead health authority within the United Nations system, our work touches people’s lives around the world every day. In Africa, WHO serves 47 Member States and works with development partners to improve the health and well-being of all people living here. The WHO Regional Office for Africa is located in Brazzaville, Congo. Learn more at www.afro.who.int and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

The Government of Botswana has decided to extend free HIV treatment to foreign residents in a major policy shift that closes a significant gap in the country’s response to the epidemic. The President of Botswana, Mokgweetsi Masisi, announced the intended shift in policy last month after the issue was raised by the Champions for an AIDS-Free Generation in Africa during their visit to the country.

There are an estimated 30 000 foreign residents living with HIV in Botswana, but less than a quarter of them currently have access to treatment. Many foreign residents are simply unable to afford medicines or return home to seek medical help. 

Botswana has the third highest HIV prevalence in the world, with more than one in five of the adult population aged 15–49 years living with the virus. In 2016, the country decided to adopt a treat all strategy by extending free treatment to all citizens living with HIV, a step that has been yielding significant results. Since 2010, AIDS-related deaths have decreased by a third, with new HIV infections down by 36% over the same period.

“I commend Botswana for extending free treatment to foreign residents living with HIV,” said Gunilla Carlsson, UNAIDS Executive Director, a.i. “This measure will save lives and help the entire country progress towards ending the AIDS epidemic―it is another example of Botswana’s leadership and its determination to leave no one behind in the response to HIV.”

The Botswana Ministry of Health and Wellness consulted closely with UNAIDS, the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, the International Organization for Migration, other United Nations agencies and other development partners to develop the new policy.

Based on the government’s decision, the Ministry of Health and Wellness will issue a special government directive to allow health facilities to provide treatment to all people living with HIV residing in the country.

While Botswana has made great progress in reducing the number of new HIV infections—down around 36% in total since 2010—young people remain highly vulnerable to the virus. Adolescent girls and young women are particularly at risk of HIV infection as well as other sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancy.

In 2018, almost one in four new HIV infections in Botswana occurred among young women and adolescent girls aged 15-24 years old. Less than half of young women and adolescent girls say they have comprehensive knowledge about HIV.

To see what more can be done to address the issues making young people more vulnerable to HIV, the First Lady of Botswana, Neo Masisi, held a retreat in July to look at the challenges confronting them.       

Young women participating in the retreat shared some of their experiences with the First Lady and officials from the Ministry of Health.       

“I come from a strained family structure where poverty is rife. I never felt loved at home and looked for love outside. I got a boyfriend and eventually I too became a teenage mother,” said Belinda.

The discussions at the retreat will feed into a framework for the development of a national flagship programme for young people.

“Today’s young people are dealing with multiple challenges and they have to take on so much—at school, within changing family dynamics, societal expectations. They question their norms, values and their own worth,” said Ms Masisi. “We need to treat them as leaders so that they can feel valued.”                

The Minister of Health, Alfred Madigele, said further consultations would be held with young people to produce the framework.

Earlier this year, the UNAIDS Executive Director a.i., Gunilla Carlsson, appointed Ms Masisi as UNAIDS Special Ambassador for the empowerment and engagement of young people in Botswana.      

Botswana has reaffirmed its commitment to end the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030 with the recent launch of two new five-year strategies.

The third National Strategic Framework for HIV/AIDS and the Multi-sectoral Strategy for the Prevention of Non-communicable Diseases will until 2023 guide the government’s strategic response to improve health outcomes for the country’s population.

Botswana has made significant progress in its response to the HIV epidemic in recent years. Of the estimated 380 000 people living with HIV in 2017, 320 000 have access to treatment to keep them well.

Botswana was the first country in eastern and southern Africa to provide free and universal treatment to people living with HIV. It has adopted the Option B+ strategy which offers women living with HIV lifelong treatment and the “test and treat” strategy which provides immediate treatment to people who test positive for the virus.    

During a two-day visit to the country from 13 to 14 June, UNAIDS Executive Director a.i., Gunilla Carlsson, attended the presidential launch of the new health strategies. 

“As a country, we need to renew our focus and re-prioritize our agenda on the HIV response to attain the 2020 targets and the vision for ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. Furthermore, non-communicable diseases have become a new epidemic that threatens our health as a nation as well as our national development agenda,” said President Mokgweetsi Masisi during the launch.

During her visit, Ms Carlsson also named the First Lady of Botswana, Ms Neo Masisi, as Special Ambassador for the Empowerment and Engagement of Young People in Botswana. In this role, Ms Masisi will focus on advocating for young people’s needs, the promotion and protection of their rights, and their leadership roles of agents as change, with an emphasis on young women and girls.

“I’d like to thank UNAIDS for the confidence placed in me by conferring upon me this role. It will help me to leverage my role as First Lady to end the AIDS epidemic among young people and add value to the work I am already doing,” said Ms Masisi.

In a meeting between Ms Carlsson and members of civil society in Botswana, participants raised their concerns about complacency, especially among younger people, adherence to treatment and HIV prevention.

On the back of the landmark decision of the High Court of Botswana to decriminalize same-sex relations, members of the LGBT community expressed hope, but also warned that more work needed to be done to address stigma and discrimination, especially in communities and in health care settings.

“The main challenge that Botswana is facing in its AIDS response is complacency. If the country can overcome this challenge, then it will show the whole world that it can be done,” said Gunilla Carlsson, UNAIDS Executive Director, a.i.

During her visit, Ms Carlsson also visited Ramotswa, a village outside of Gaborone, to witness how communities are coming together to accelerate the AIDS response. She also visited Tebelopele clinic in Gaborone, which provides integrated HIV and health services to a wide range of people, including female sex workers, men who have sex with men and adolescent girls and young women.

GENEVA, 11 June 2019— UNAIDS applauds the landmark decision of the High Court of Botswana to declare unconstitutional key provisions of Sections 164 and 167 of the Botswana Penal Code. Those provisions criminalized certain private sexual acts and have led to discrimination and violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in Botswana.

“This is a historic ruling for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in Botswana,” said Gunilla Carlsson, UNAIDS Executive Director, a.i. “It restores privacy, respect and dignity to the country’s LGBT people, and it is a day to celebrate pride, compassion and love. I commend the activists, civil society organizations and community groups that have campaigned so hard for this moment.”

UNAIDS has been working with LGBT groups, civil society organizations and other partners to promote a more enabling legal environment in the country. In recent years, the courts in Botswana have taken a lead in protecting and promoting the human rights of marginalized groups.

Criminalization of consensual same-sex sexual relations is a violation of human rights and legitimizes stigma, discrimination and violence against LGBT people. Criminalization stops people from accessing and using HIV prevention, testing and treatment services and increases their risk of acquiring HIV.

Globally, the risk of acquiring HIV is 28 times higher among gay men and other men who have sex with men than among the general population and 13 times higher for transgender women. Prohibitive legal and policy environments and a lack of tailored services for key populations increase their vulnerability to HIV. UNAIDS urges countries to ensure the full respect of the human rights of all people, regardless of their sexual orientation, through repealing laws that prohibit sex between consenting adults in private, enforcing laws to protect people from violence and discrimination, addressing homophobia and transphobia and ensuring that crucial health services are made available.

“I hope that this decision reflects a move towards a more humane, compassionate and rights-based approach towards same-sex relations worldwide. It should encourage other countries to repeal unjust laws that criminalize same-sex sexual relations and block people’s access to essential services, including to health care,” said Ms Carlsson.

Consensual same-sex sexual relations remain criminalized in at least 67 countries and territories worldwide.

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

While Botswana has made excellent progress in achieving the UNAIDS 90–90–90 treatment targets, evidence shows it has experienced a 4% increase in new HIV infections from 2010 to 2017, from 13 000 to 14 000. This is against the backdrop of a massive 30% decrease in new HIV infections across the eastern and southern African region.

Adolescent girls and young women are particularly at risk of HIV infection, as well as unintended pregnancy and sexual and gender-based violence. In 2017 there were 1 500 new HIV infections among adolescent girls between the ages of 10 and 19 years, compared to fewer than 500 new infections among adolescent boys the same age.

As a result, Neo Masisi, the First Lady of Botswana, uses her voice to advocate for better health outcomes for adolescent girls and young women. In an effort to drive high-impact, age-appropriate and gender-sensitive interventions, she holds dialogues with adolescent girls and young women about their experiences.

On 9 December 2018, she hosted a post-World AIDS Day event attended by 100 adolescent girls and young women, to bring to light to issues they face on a daily basis—unintended pregnancy, gender-based violence, access to sexual and reproductive health rights and how these intersect with HIV. “I am concerned about how young people have not known a life without HIV and hence they are more vulnerable to social ills,” said Mrs Masisi.

During the dialogue, Richard Matlhare, a representative from the National AIDS Coordinating Agency, emphasised that “the five-year Botswana National Strategic Framework on HIV/AIDS provides a paradigm shift, which is a sector-specific strategy explicitly focusing on adolescent girls and young women and their male partners.”

Participants at the dialogue also previewed the Pan-African movie Faces, directed by Joseph Adesunloye and starring South African actress, Terry Pheto, who plays the character of Aisha, a woman who has to deal with HIV infection and gender-based violence.

Ms Pheto, who attended the dialogue, spoke about her role as an actress and influencer and how she aims “not simply to entertain, but also educate, adolescent girls and young women and men on HIV and gender-based violence.” She added that projects such as these are “very close to my home and heart.”

UNAIDS’ unwavering commitment praised by the President

GENEVA, 25 October 2018—The President of Botswana, Mokgweetsi E.K. Masisi, visited UNAIDS headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, on 25 October 2018 to share Botswana’s vision on a key public health concern: HIV.

The President met the Executive Director of UNAIDS, Michel Sidibé, and congratulated UNAIDS for leading the AIDS agenda with humility and professionalism. 

“We continue to count on your stewardship,” said Mr Masisi. “Botswana stands ready to sprint the last mile to end AIDS as a public health threat.”

Two decades ago, AIDS ravaged the small southern African nation of 2 million. Today, despite having one of the highest rates of HIV in the world – 23% of adults live with HIV- Botswana has shown remarkable progress. New HIV infections have been reduced by 63% since the peak in 1996 and AIDS-related deaths have decreased to 4100 from 15 000 in 2008. It was the first country in the region to provide universal, free antiretroviral treatment to people living with HIV, paving the way for many other countries in the region to follow.

Mr Sidibé described the President as an advocate for the region. “Mr Masisi is bringing new energy and impetus to the AIDS response in Botswana with a focus on HIV prevention,” said Mr Sidibé. The President participated in a moderated dialogue along with a high-level delegation that included the Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation and the Minister of Health and Wellbeing as well as the First Lady of Botswana. During the discussions, the President described Botswana’s financial investments in health, HIV and its people.  He highlighted that mother-to-child HIV transmission is on the verge of being eliminated and that more than 80% of people living with HIV are on treatment.

However, challenges remain. “When you disempower a young girl through violence or unwanted sexual experience, she is affected for life,” Mr Masisi said. In order to curtail new HIV infections, the President committed to redefining the roles and engagement of young boys and men. Mr Masisi and Mr Sidibé then recognized former President Festus Mogae’s long-standing efforts to turn the country around from despair to hope when Botswana faced the HIV crisis initially.  

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

The First Lady of Botswana, Neo Masisi, visited UNAIDS headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, on 24 October to discuss improving health outcomes for young people, especially adolescent girls.

The First Lady met the Executive Director of UNAIDS, Michel Sidibé, and UNAIDS staff members.

“We can work jointly to address issues affecting 8-18-year-olds to ensure that the future generation that will lead and build Botswana is healthy, HIV-free and is equipped with life skills,” said Ms Masisi.

Botswana has made important gains towards ending the AIDS epidemic, but action is needed to curb the recent rise in new HIV infections, particularly among young people—a total of 14 000 people became newly infected with HIV in 2017. Women and girls are particularly vulnerable: 67% of women experience gender-based violence and teenage pregnancy stands at 9.7%.    

Ms Masisi has been advocating for the empowerment of adolescent girls and young women to reduce their vulnerability. She listed social protection grants, economic programmes and promoting sexual and reproductive health as vital so that women live healthy and fulfilling lives.  

“You are in a strategic position to be a champion and driver of change for young women,” said Mr Sidibé. “UNAIDS is committed to support you and Botswana.”