It is submitted for the degree of Master of Social Science in Policy and Development Studies in the College of Humanities, School of Social Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. None of the present work has previously been submitted for any degree or examination at any other university. Therefore, the study uses a content analysis method of data collection and analysis to explain the different advocacy strategies used by the Treatment Action Campaign to advocate for access to HIV/AIDs treatment in post-apartheid South Africa.
The policy advocacy strategies of the TAC were examined in relation to the implementation of health policy on HIV/AIDS in South Africa. Most of that is clearly reflected in the case of the TAC organization, which has employed these strategies and others to advocate for HIV/AIDS policy change. I would like to acknowledge the almighty God who gave me his grace to complete this work despite the challenges I encountered during the study.
I dedicate this work to the Almighty God who has given me His grace and who has walked this path with me, as well as to my older sister Emmy, who passed me during work. TRIPS Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights UNAIDS Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS USAID United States Agency for International Development.
Background and Rationale of the Study
Research Problems and Objectives
The broad aim of this study is to explore the role of civil society in policy advocacy in promoting good governance and policymaking. The study specifically looks at the actions of the Treatment Action Campaign in advocating for better healthcare services, particularly HIV/AIDS, in South Africa. How do the elements of the advocacy model or frameworks reflect the strategies of the TAC.
What techniques did the Treatment Action Campaign use to influence health policy in South Africa.
Conceptual and Theoretical Framework
Structure of the Dissertation
Introduction
- Public Policy
- Civil Society Organisations
- Civil Society Organisations and the Media
- Civil Society Organisations and (Good) Governance
- Civil Society Organisations’ Government Relations in South Africa
- The Policy Advocacy Role of Civil Society Organisations
- Policy Advocacy
- Models of Advocacy
- Elements of Advocacy-Model
- Advocacy Coalition Framework
- The ‘Stagist’ Perspective of Policy Advocacy
- Advocacy in the Policy Process
- Conclusion
In order to promote an understanding of civil society organizations and how they function, it is important to define the term. As such, civil society is understood as an area of the individual's relationship to society that excludes the state or government. This means that civil society can constitute itself politically to select and monitor democratic government through the state's political institutions (such as the legislature and political parties) and their processes (inter-party alliances, elections and electoral rules).
This means that civil society, by making demands on the state, holds the government accountable for its decisions. The current study views civil society as a form of social organization that creates space for citizens to come together and participate in the policy process (Kervatin, 1998). This section also explores various ways in which media can manifest itself in creating a successful civil society structure.
In relation to civil society, there are two roles of media – media as (i) stakeholders and (ii) implementing partners of civil society. In addition, the media serves as a tool that can help implement the principles of civil society. From this perspective, the media serves as a tool that can help implement the principles of civil society.
The media play an important role in the formation and success of a strong civil society structure. Usually, the above activities are considered as factors influencing the relationship between the state and civil society. Some authors have defined the balance between autonomy and co-optation as another characteristic of the state-civil society relationship.
In post-apartheid South Africa, the state treats civil society as a partner in its social and political mission (Everatt, 2001). On the same topic, Edward and Hulme (1992) argued that the political advocacy role of civil society is becoming increasingly important. Diamond's assumption is that the development of civil society is an essential element for consolidating or deepening democracy.
This function of civil society is useful for those traditionally marginalized by the state. Some have linked political advocacy to civil society, while others have analyzed advocacy as a process in policy analysis.
Introduction
- Research Methodology and Design
- Limitation(s) of the study
- Overview of the Treatment Action Campaign
- The South African Public Health Care System in the Apartheid Era
- The HIV/AIDS Emergence in South Africa and the Responses by the Apartheid
- The South African Health Care System in Post-Apartheid Era
- Responses of Nelson Mandela’s Administration on the HIV/AIDS Crisis
- Responses of President Thabo Mbeki’s Administration on the HIV Crisis
- Responses of Jacob Zuma’s Administration to the HIV/AIDS Issue in South Africa
- The Advocacy Activities, Strategies and Tactics of the Treatment Action Campaign
- Employment of the Treatment Literacy model
- Using Human Rights Instruments-the Constitution and Courtrooms
- Using Media Technologies
- Using Protests, Marches and Demonstrations
- Building Coalitions, Networks and Partnerships
- Challenges to Policy Advocacy work of the TAC
- The Scope and Operations of the Treatment Action Campaign
- Table 1: A Chronology of the Treatment Action Campaign: 1998-2008
- Conclusion
TAC documents, such as electronic newsletters, have been a valuable source of information on specific TAC advocacy activities. In order to gain a good understanding of TAC's multi-dimensional advocacy activities in its long-term campaign for equitable access to HIV/AIDS drugs in South Africans, the study used a timeline. The chapter also explains the various strategies used by the TAC in advocating for universal access to HIV/AIDS treatment and antiretroviral treatment in particular, and how this has influenced the HIV/AIDS policy framework in South Africa.
From its inception, the TAC has been one of the strongest voices for universal access to treatment in South Africa. That is why the TAC wanted to protest the government's refusal to distribute ARVs in South Africa. The TAC argued that the Constitution created a legal obligation for the government to comply with its human rights provisions.
Another reason for the TAC's success is the partnership it has developed with other civil society institutions such as the Congress of South African Trade Unions. In addition, organizations such as Gay Men's Health Crisis and the Treatment Action Group have also hosted workshops for the TAC. Some of the evidence that explains this complex relationship is that the TAC was initially excluded from the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) which was established by the government (Friedman and Mottiar, 2004:15).
TLPs are also linked to TAC community branches - a hub for local TAC organisation. In some ways, treatment literacy is the foundation of community-based human rights advocacy, thus making it a large part of the TAC apparatus (Heywood, 2009: 18). It highlights the different strategies used and the roles played by the KRRT and their interrelationships.
17 July 2000 The TAC organizes a global march for treatment at the start of the XIII International AIDS Conference in Durban. 5 July 2002 South Africa's constitutional court delivers a landmark ruling in favor of the TAC and the right to access healthcare services (Achmat, 2004: 15). The TAC's suspension of its campaign is subject to progress towards a National Treatment Plan (Friedman and Mottiar, 2004).
1 December 2006 World AIDS Day – The TAC and the government announce the creation of a strengthened National AIDS Council (Heywood, 2009). 9 November 2007 The TAC organizes mass demonstrations to highlight the TB crisis in South Africa (TAC Newsletter, 2007).
Introduction
- Application of the ‘Elements Based Model of Advocacy’ and its Implication to the Policy
- Elements of Advocacy Model
- Successes of the Policy Advocacy Work of the TAC
- Conclusion
This was the case in which TAC lodged a complaint with the Competition Commission about the excessive pricing of drugs in South Africa. Therefore, having clarified their purpose, TAC was able to lobby for and facilitate access to affordable treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS in South Africa. This resulted in the TAC realizing that the South African Constitution created a legal duty on the state to fulfill its human rights provisions.
The audience also learned that access to HIV/AIDS medication was their constitutional right in South Africa (Friedman and Mottiar, 2004). Notable activities include raising awareness in their communities about the issues surrounding HIV/AIDS in South Africa. The TAC's intention to make HIV/AIDS treatment available to the public was primarily a means of holding the government accountable to its promise, explains its persistent persuasion and the litigation of HIV/AIDS treatment in South Africa.
Chapter 4 attempted to use the "core elements of advocacy" model and was adapted to the specific advocacy activities of the TAC policy as a workable framework for tackling the problem of HIV/AIDS in South Africa. The relevance of the model to Treatment Action Campaign advocacy activities is evident in the common steps used as a logical guide for TAC activities. The chapter also presented the successes of TAC's advocacy activities in ensuring the availability of HIV/AIDS treatment in the public health sector.
This research was an analysis of the role that the Treatment Action Campaign played as a civil society organization in effecting change in health policy - particularly on issues of access to treatment for HIV/AIDS in South Africa. From the analysis, it emerged that TAC's political advocacy activities and its influence on the design of health policy in South Africa are consistent with the models of advocacy presented in the second chapter. It also appears that TAC's advocacy activities resonate with the models that set problem identification and;.
The results of the analysis also show that the various strategic activities of TAC as a civil society organization resonate with a considerable number of elements based on. As a result, TAC sought to build capacity to exercise 'human rights entitlement' directly among the poor who could afford much-needed HIV/AIDS medication in South Africa. This did not reflect the TAC advocacy activities presented in Chapters 3 and 4 because TAC programs continued to operate.
Using this lens, the TAC is seen as an important partner in promoting good governance and policy making in South Africa. Retrieved 23 April 2013 from HIV SA: http://www.hivsa.com/static/hiv-aids-in-south-africa.
