The Botswana Network on Ethics, Law, and HIV/AIDS (BONELA) extends its heartfelt congratulations to the Government of Botswana, the Ministry of Health, healthcare workers, and all stakeholders on the remarkable achievement of the Gold Tier Award for the Path to Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV (eMTCT). This prestigious recognition by the World Health Organization (WHO) underscores Botswana’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that no child is born with HIV and highlights the nation’s leadership in global health.

As a proud member of the National Validation Committee and co-chair of the Human Rights, Gender Equality, and Community Engagement domain, BONELA celebrates this milestone as a testament to Botswana’s collective efforts. The achievement reflects the success of comprehensive programs that integrate medical excellence with human rights principles, community mobilization, and gender-sensitive approaches.

Botswana’s progress; from being the first high-burden HIV country to attain the Silver Tier Award in 2021 to now achieving the Gold Tier, demonstrates what is possible when a nation prioritizes health equity, inclusivity, and sustained investment in public health. The expansion of free antiretroviral therapy (ART) to non-citizens, the reduction of stigma, and initiatives to address gender-based violence have been critical to this success.

BONELA commends the resilience of women living with HIV, the dedication of healthcare professionals, and the collaborative spirit of civil society, development partners, and government. This achievement is a beacon of hope, proving that an HIV-free generation is within reach when human rights principles and scientific advancement guide our actions.

We reaffirm our commitment to supporting Botswana’s journey toward the global Triple Elimination of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B, and we call for continued investment in community-led solutions and policies that leave no one behind.

For more information, contact BONELA on:
Cindy Kelemi at cindyk@bonela.org or 72385054
Katlego Sechele at ksechele@bonela.org or 72282025