ZARAN Newsletter October-December 2009

The latest edition of the ZARAN Newsletter is now available to download. Distribution of physical copies will begin in the next two weeks.

Our re-designed newsletter includes updates on all our activities in the last quarter as well as features on the production of ARVs in Zambia, lifestyle advice for people living positively and discordant couples. Our cover story looks at PEPFAR’s funding distribution and we also cover the latest on the ZAF unfair dismissal case and women who claim to have been sterilised without consent in Namibia.

If you would like to be added to our distribution list please email info@zaran.org or add a comment below. We’d also love to get some feedback on the new look of the newsletter and the stories we are covering. Give us your thoughts below.

Essay Writing Competition

Theme: Women and Universal Access

The theme of this year’s World AIDS Day is Universal Access and Human Rights. That means trying to give everyone the access they need to HIV information, treatment, support and care no matter who they are.

To celebrate the event ZARAN is inviting you to send essays on the subject of universal access and women. Are women able to access HIV services? How can access be improved? Should women be treated differently? Let us know what you think and you could win one of three great prizes.

1st Place: Sony Ericsson W395

2nd Place: Sony Ericsson W350

3rd Place: 250,000 Kwacha Book Token

The winning entry will also be published in a national newspaper.

Rules

Entrants must be between 15 and 18 years old and resident in Zambia.

The essay must be no longer than 1000 words.

Enter

Entries should be emailed to info@zaran.org or sent to ZARAN, 22 Katemo Road, Rhodes Park, P.O. Box #39088, Lusaka by Friday 27th November.

Students, teachers or parents who would like more information can contact ZARAN on info@zaran.org or 0211 25 35 55.

Vacancy: Information and Media Officer

ZARAN is seeking to recruit a dynamic and innovative individual to fill the position of Information & Media Officer.

Purpose of the Job

The purpose of the job is to create public awareness of ZARAN activities and HIV and AIDS, Human Rights and Law related issues.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate should possess the following:  Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication, Journalism, Public Relations or related field; Minimum 2 years experience in a communications role; Knowledge of HIV and AIDS & Human Rights issues; Information in researching and developing communication materials; Experience in advocacy and networking; Good IT skills including graphics and design, website updating etc; Excellent English written and oral communication skills

Employment Terms

The successful candidate will be offered a renewable two year contract with a competitive package.

How to apply

Applicants should submit an application letter outlining how they meet the job description and qualifications. Applicants must include copies of their qualifications and a detailed curriculum vitae including contact details and at least two traceable referees. Submission of copies of relevant past work is encouraged.

Applications must be received by post, email or by hand by the close of business on Friday 6th November 2009. No faxed copies will be accepted. Responses will only be sent to individuals who will be shortlisted.

Please Submit Applications to:

The Executive Director, Zambia AIDSLaw Research & Advocacy Network, 22 Katemo Road, Rhodes Park, Off Addis Ababa Drive, P.O. Box 39088, Lusaka  Tel: 253555, Email: zaran@zamtel.zm

Student Debate 2009

Date: Friday 18th September 2009
Venue: Mulungushi Conference Centre, Lusaka
Time: 0800 Hrs
Entrance: Free!

The annual ZARAN student debate is back and this year we’ll see teams from 4 universities battle it out over two of the biggest topics on the HIV and AIDS agenda.

The day will be be kicked off my Cavendish University Zambia (CUZ) who will take on Zambia Insurance Business College Trust (ZIBCT) on the issue of mandatory male circumcision in Zambia. This will be followed by a students from the National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA) proposing that  HIV testing be made mandatory for all pregnant women. They will be opposed by debaters from the University of Zambia (UNZA). A panel of expert judges will oversee proceedings and decide which teams won the arguments.

Both debates should prove to be lively and entertaining and with 1,000,000 ZMK prize money available for each member of the winning teams they will be hotly contested. This is a great chance to see tomorrow’s leaders sharpen their skills and an opportunity to learn more about some of the big issues in HIV and AIDS and human rights.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Welcome to the ZARAN blog

Welcome to the Zambia AIDSLaw Research and Advocacy Network’s new blog. Over the coming weeks, months and years we will be posting all the latest information and news about our work protecting the rights of people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS.

This site will complement our main website http://www.zaran.org which, once it is back online, will provide more detailed information about our work. Our new Twitter account is also available to keep you up to date with the latest at ZARAN and wider issues in HIV and AIDS and human rights.

We’d love to know what you think about our blog and, more importantly, our work. Are there areas you would like to see us concentrate on? Have you seen something in the news that we should know about? Do you know someone who might need our help? Let us know by getting in touch through the comments form below or by emailing info@zaran.org.