SOCIAL AND BEHAVIOR CHANGE WORKSHOP FOCUSES ON STANDARDIZING M&E IN THE PROVINCE

Relebohile Ramabitsa 

• The Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) Programmes Implementation Workshop, held from November 14–15, 2024, in Bloemfontein, aimed to enhance the delivery, monitoring, and evaluation of programmes addressing HIV & AIDS.
• Organised by the National Department of Social Development in collaboration with the Free State and Northern Cape provinces, the workshop brought together stakeholders to address challenges, improve governance, and streamline reporting processes.
• Key outcomes included a consensus on creating a standardised monitoring and evaluation system and renewed commitments to financial accountability and collaborative problem-solving with non-profit organisations (NPOs).

The Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) Programmes Implementation Workshop took place from 14 to 15 November 2024 at Bon Hotel in Bloemfontein. Hosted by the Free State Province in collaboration with the Northern Cape, the workshop was organised by the National Department of Social Development to enhance the delivery and monitoring of SBC Programmes aimed at mitigating the impact of HIV & AIDS.

The National Department of Social Development has developed a comprehensive Compendium of Social and Behaviour Change Programmes. These initiatives—such as YOLO, ChommY, FamilY Matters, Boys Championing Change, and Men Championing Change—are designed to reduce new HIV infections and mitigate their impact on individuals, families, and communities. The programmes are implemented in partnership with funded non-profit organisations (NPOs).

The workshop focused on the objectives of these programmes, which include instilling active citizenship among young people, minimising HIV infections, improving parent-child communication about sexual health, and increasing men’s involvement in protecting women and girls from gender-based violence and HIV. Desired outcomes include reduced risky sexual behaviours, fewer new HIV infections, and increased uptake of HIV testing and care services.

The sessions addressed critical areas such as governance to ensure compliance with NPO regulations, financial management for effective use of funds, and a presentation by the youth initiative Harambee. On the second day, discussions centred on improving the accuracy of reporting after programme implementation. Attendees were reminded that minor errors in reports could affect the reflection of beneficiaries reached. NPOs were urged to maintain meticulous records to provide accurate data on their programmes’ impact.

A significant outcome of the workshop was a consensus on the need for a standardised monitoring and evaluation (M&E) source document for all SBC Programmes. Currently, each programme uses a different reporting format, complicating the process for NPOs.

Dr Luzile Nziyane, Director of HIV Prevention at the National Department of Social Development, highlighted the importance of working collaboratively with NPOs to address challenges and improve programme implementation. “The purpose of this workshop is to engage with NPOs as partners, listen to the challenges they’re facing, and work together to develop solutions to improve the implementation of these programmes,” she said.

NPO representatives raised several challenges, including difficulties completing registration processes. For example, programmes like the FamilY Matters Programme, which involves six sessions, require participants to sign attendance registers for each session as evidence of completion. Dr Nziyane stressed the necessity of maintaining accurate records while reiterating that NPOs that misuse funds or fail to comply with financial accountability regulations would not receive funding.

Another challenge identified was community members’ reluctance to provide identity numbers. Miss Kgomotso Matso addressed this, advising officials to document refusals rather than pressuring individuals, while reassuring communities about the security of their personal information.

The workshop also emphasised the importance of strengthening financial management within NPOs. Dr Nziyane encouraged NPO board members to actively assist in improving compliance and ensuring financial accountability.

In her closing remarks, Ms Nancy Nthako from Protiro Care Givers in the Northern Cape reflected on the workshop’s impact. “My biggest takeaway is that there are many things we are not doing right as NPOs, such as having dedicated finance teams and avoiding being overly dependent on NPO managers. Overall, the workshop was very fruitful.”