AIDS Watch Africa (AWA) – An Africa free from AIDS, TB and Malaria

Together we can end

WE ARE ON A MISSION

AIDS, Malaria and TB by 2030

ABOUT US

Created at the Abuja 2001 Special Summit, AIDS Watch Africa (AWA) is a statutory entity of the African Union with the specific mandate to lead advocacy, accountability and resource mobilization efforts to advance a robust African response to end AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria by 2030.

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BEFORE YOU FINISH READING THIS SENTENCE, NEARLY THREE PEOPLE WILL HAVE DIED EITHER OF AIDS, TUBERCULOSIS OR MALARIA IN AFRICA.

We are on a mission to change that.

Here’s how:

Promote effective leadership and good governance

AWA progressively brings together global and continental leaders for high-level policy dialogues on AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and resource mobilisation with emphasis on increased, sustained political commitment and accountability. To promote accountable leadership and follow up action, AWA holds a consultative meeting each year with experts from AU Member States to deliberate on key policy issues and prepare a report for presentation to Heads of State and Government during the AU Assembly.

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Convey information for action and development

AWA conducts evidence-based advocacy for continental policy frameworks and instigates data-driven accountability towards turning commitments into action. We work with all the key AU organs, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), Regional Health Organizations (RHOs), civil society, the private sector and development agencies to acquire and disseminate comprehensive information and jointly plan and review implementation of AU continental policies.

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FOSTER IMPACTFUL
MULTISECTORAL PARTNERSHIPS

Attaining end of AIDS, tuberculosis, and elimination of malaria by 2030 is attainable.

However, it requires strong, sustained collaborative effort. To this end, we engage policy makers and multi-sector continental and global development partners on strengthening the response to the three diseases in Africa and prioritising health financing

Initiatives led by AWA include:

Africa Leadership Meeting – Investing in Health (ALM) Declaration

In February 2019, African Heads of States and Government endorsed the ALM Declaration to

Free To Shine Campaign

In January 2018, the African Union Commission co-launched the Free To Shine Campaign with

Zero Malaria Starts With Me Campaign (ZMSWM)

The African Union Heads of State and Government endorsed ZMSWM in July 2018 in

June 28, 2021

Ratification of AMA Treaty Continues to Rise Among AU Member States

In February 2019, the Assembly of Head of State and Government adopted the legal instrument for the establishment of the African Medicines Agency (AMA) and called on its Member States to sign and ratify the Treaty in order for the Treaty to enter into force as soon as possible (Assembly/AU/Dec.735 (XXXII). The adoption of the Treaty for the establishment of AMA sets the Union on a course towards establishing a second continental health institution that…

June 28, 2021

Launch of ALM Leaders Speak Podcast Series

The African Union Commission convened global and regional health leaders, National Heads of States, and Governments in Addis Ababa on the 9th February 2019 for the African Leadership Meeting (ALM) – Investing in Health. A crucial outcome of the meeting was the AU Assembly Decision Assembly/AU/20(XXXII): “Addis Ababa Commitment toward Shared Responsibility and Global Solidarity for Increased Health Financing Declaration”. It is crucial to strengthen high-level advocacy for implementing the ALM Declaration ‎among policymakers and…

June 28, 2021

New Success With A New Malaria Vaccine Registered

A team of researchers based in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, studied the new R21 malaria vaccine in 450 children—the key population is the most urgently needed vaccine. They found it to be safe and have unprecedented efficacy in those aged 5-17 months. In this controlled trial, 105 of the 147 children who received a placebo contracted malaria. Of the 292 who received a dose of the vaccine, only 81 contracted the disease—surpassing the WHO’s 75% target…

CHAMPIONS FOR CHANGE

March 30, 2021

Elevating voices in Science: It’s Africa’s time‎

Attributed to Yacine Djibo, Founder and Executive Director of Speak Up Africa The role of Science for Africa The role of science in improving the state of African health and more broadly facilitating the continent’s broader development goals of promoting economic development cannot be underestimated. Science is a critical element of the African Union’s blueprint and master plan for transforming Africa into the global powerhouse of the future – Agenda 2063. Science plays a role…

March 30, 2021

Kadiatou Sanogo – Drawing the line against malaria in ‎Mali

By: Kadiatou Sanogo This year Kadiatou has joined Zero Malaria Starts With Me’s new campaign, Draw The Line Against Malaria, to end malaria within a generation, a disease that still takes a child’s life every two minutes. Together, this new movement is making sure no one is left behind. Kadiatou is uniting with young people from across Africa and globally to unite and fight malaria by driving more action, more innovation, more funding and more…

March 30, 2021

Breaking Barriers to Tuberculosis Services in Africa

By: Dr. Sheila Shawa, Senior Program Officer – Health Division, African Union ‎Commission TB has been in existence for over a century, and global efforts are working effectively and efficiently towards its control and elimination. The prevailing situation regarding the COVID 19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the national TB programs, leading to an increase in the number of missing people with TB and a decline in tests conducted. Further, there has been…