ZAN Steps Up to Protect Vulnerable Groups Amid HIV Funding Crunch

By Evans Jona

HARARE — The Zimbabwe AIDS Network (ZAN) is intensifying efforts to safeguard vulnerable populations as HIV/AIDS programs across the country face uncertainty following donor funding cuts. The organisation says sex workers, adolescent girls and young women, and people living with HIV remain a priority amid shrinking budgets and shifting donor landscapes.

“Key and vulnerable populations cannot be left behind. Their health and rights are non-negotiable,” said Tsuro Bore, National Director of ZAN. “Even as international funding declines, we are determined to ensure that services reach those who need them most.”

ZAN is advocating for policies that protect vulnerable groups, ensuring that the National HIV & AIDS Strategic Plan (ZNASP) and Key Populations Implementation Guidelines reflect their needs. Bore said, “We are engaging the Ministry of Health and Child Care and the National AIDS Council to make sure community-led data informs national programming. The government must be accountable for equitable service delivery.”

Bore also highlighted efforts to fight stigma and discriminatory laws, noting, “Sex workers and other key vulnerable populations face barriers that prevent access to care. We are challenging these legal and social obstacles through advocacy and awareness campaigns in healthcare settings.”

Through targeted service delivery, ZAN supports peer-led outreach programs for HIV testing, PrEP, and condom distribution among sex workers, in partnership with organisations such as SASA and SWEAT. Bore explained, “We train peer educators to reach sex workers in every corner. These are lifesaving interventions that cannot stop because of funding gaps.”

Adolescent girls and young women benefit from DREAMS-inspired interventions focusing on education, economic empowerment, and HIV prevention. Bore said, “Our programs aim to equip young women with knowledge, resources, and confidence to protect themselves. This is more than health—it is empowerment.” People living with HIV are supported through community ART refill groups and differentiated service delivery models to reduce clinic visits. “PLHIV must have consistent access to ARVs and mental health support. That continuity is critical,” Bore emphasized.

To ensure sustainability, ZAN is mobilising domestic resources, pushing for increased AIDS Levy allocations, and supporting social contracting. “We are engaging private companies, diaspora groups, and local businesses. These partnerships fund AGYW scholarships, workplace HIV programs, and microbusinesses led by sex workers,” Bore said.

ZAN also trains peer educators and community health workers to document service gaps, which are tracked through HIV accountability scorecards. Bore explained, “This gives us real-time data to advocate effectively. It ensures no one is left behind.”

Despite these measures, challenges remain. “Donor dependency is still a major risk. Laws criminalising sex work and other key populations hinder access, and we need more investment in digital health interventions for young women,” Bore said.

Background data shows that Zimbabwe’s HIV prevalence among young women aged 15–24 remains disproportionately high, while sex workers face significant stigma. ZAN’s integrated approach seeks to maintain service continuity, empower communities economically, and ensure that vulnerable groups are not left behind during this transition period.