In June 2011, Swaziland joined the international community in signing the 2011 Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS, reaffirming its previous commitments made in 2001 and 2006. The Political Declaration motivates and compels countries to work towards achieving the Millennium Development Goal Six to halt and reverse the spread of HIV epidemic by 2015. The 2011 Political Declaration demonstrates the spirit of planning for results through setting time bound targets that countries should achieve by 2015.
Achievements have been made in responding to the epidemic. In HIV prevention, Swaziland is on the verge of virtual elimination of mother-to child-transmission and appropriate behavioural change is observed particularly among the youth whose HIV prevalence has reduced. People Living with HIV and AIDS are accessing treatment and it isexpected that this will translate into improvements in life expectancy and correspondingly, the country anticipates the number of AIDS orphans will decline. A majority of children are attending school and communities have been mobilized to take a meaningful role in the response to HIV and AIDS.
