Introduction

Discriminatory laws, policies and practices create significant barriers to accessing HIV prevention, testing and treatment services, particularly for key populations, young people and other communities disproportionately affected by HIV. Fear of discrimination, arrest or mistreatment can discourage people from seeking services, undermining progress towards epidemic control.

This Link & Learn session hosted by Zambia on 22 September 2026 explored the country’s experience in addressing discriminatory legal and structural barriers to HIV services. The session examined Zambia’s existing legal protections, remaining gaps and practical approaches to creating a more enabling environment for HIV services. 

Objectives

• Examine the legal and policy environment affecting access to HIV prevention, testing and treatment services in Zambia.
• Explore Zambia’s progress and remaining challenges in addressing discriminatory legal and structural barriers.
• Share practical approaches to reducing stigma and discrimination within healthcare settings and communities.
• Provided an opportunity for participants from Botswana, Kenya and Nigeria to share experiences and identify opportunities for South-to-South learning on legal reform, community engagement and sustainable programming.

Proceedings

Violet Mongeza, National AIDS Council, opened the session with an overview of Zambia’s policy and legal environment. She highlighted Zambia’s public health approach to legal reform, emphasising that enabling people to access health services without fear is an important component of epidemic control. The presentation explored how punitive and stigmatising laws and practices can discourage testing, treatment and disclosure, ultimately affecting HIV outcomes.

Muzwadile Henry Sakala, LATU Foundation, built on Zambia’s policy overview by examining the legal protections and practical measures in place to improve access to HIV services. He highlighted existing protections against discrimination, including constitutional and employment protections, as well as legal precedent supporting voluntary HIV testing. At the same time, he noted that gaps remain, particularly for key populations, sex workers and adolescents, where criminalisation, stigma and uncertainty around access to services can continue to create barriers.

He also outlined Zambia’s efforts to address these barriers beyond legal reform, including sensitivity training for healthcare providers, initiatives to reduce stigma in public information, and the establishment of wellness centres providing services to key populations. Looking ahead, he highlighted Zambia’s focus on integrating services, strengthening social contracting and using the National Key Population Strategy to sustain programming. He also drew on experiences from Botswana, Kenya and Nigeria to demonstrate how countries can learn from different approaches to legal reform, anti-discrimination protections and community-led HIV programming.

Resources

Access the recording and presentation materials from this session for further insights and information.

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