Sheila Tlou
Encyclopedia
Sheila Dinotshe Tlou is a Botswana
specialist in HIV/AIDS and women's health, and a nursing educator. She was Minister of Health from 2004 to 2008.
, U.S., obtaining an M.A. in Education (concentrating in Curriculum and Instruction in the Health Sciences). She took her PhD in community health nursing and a diploma in gender issues, at the University of Illinois at Chicago
in 1990.
She has taught at the University of Botswana
from 1980. From 1994 to 1996 she was head of Nursing Education, becoming an associate professor in 1999, and 2002–04 she was the university's HIV/AIDS coordinator.
Tlou represented Botswana at the 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women
in Beijing. In 2002 she was appointed to a special UN task force on girls, women, and HIV/AIDS in southern Africa. she has also provided consultancy to UNAIDS, the UN Commission on the Status of Women and the World Health Organisation. She took part in the international community educator meetings for the HIV Vaccine Trials Network.
Tlou is married to Botswana
historian Professor Thomas Tlou
.
She has portrayed Precious Ramotswe, the heroine of Alexander McCall Smith
's #1 Ladies' Detective Agency book series, in amateur theater productions, and at one time was mentioned in media reports as a possible choice to portray Mma Ramotswe in the Hollywood film adaptation currently in production.
Following the October 2004 general election
, Tlou was appointed as Minister of Health on November 9, 2004. After being defeated in primary elections of the Botswana Democratic Party
(BDP) in Palapye
, Tlou was dismissed from the Cabinet on April 1, 2008, when Ian Khama
took office as President.
Selected other works:
Botswana
Botswana, officially the Republic of Botswana , is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa. The citizens are referred to as "Batswana" . Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name after becoming independent within the Commonwealth on 30 September 1966...
specialist in HIV/AIDS and women's health, and a nursing educator. She was Minister of Health from 2004 to 2008.
Education and career
Tlou studied at Teachers College, Columbia UniversityTeachers College, Columbia University
Teachers College, Columbia University is a graduate school of education located in New York City, New York...
, U.S., obtaining an M.A. in Education (concentrating in Curriculum and Instruction in the Health Sciences). She took her PhD in community health nursing and a diploma in gender issues, at the University of Illinois at Chicago
University of Illinois at Chicago
The University of Illinois at Chicago, or UIC, is a state-funded public research university located in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Its campus is in the Near West Side community area, near the Chicago Loop...
in 1990.
She has taught at the University of Botswana
University of Botswana
The University of Botswana, or UB was established in 1982 as the first institution of higher education in Botswana. The university has four campuses: two in the capital city Gaborone, one in Francistown, and another in Maun. The university is divided into six faculties: Business, Education,...
from 1980. From 1994 to 1996 she was head of Nursing Education, becoming an associate professor in 1999, and 2002–04 she was the university's HIV/AIDS coordinator.
Tlou represented Botswana at the 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women
Fourth World Conference on Women
The United Nations convened the Fourth World Conference on Women: Action for Equality, Development and Peace on 4-15 September 1995 in Beijing, China. 189 governments and more than 5,000 representatives from 2,100 non-governmental organizations participated in the Conference...
in Beijing. In 2002 she was appointed to a special UN task force on girls, women, and HIV/AIDS in southern Africa. she has also provided consultancy to UNAIDS, the UN Commission on the Status of Women and the World Health Organisation. She took part in the international community educator meetings for the HIV Vaccine Trials Network.
Tlou is married to Botswana
Botswana
Botswana, officially the Republic of Botswana , is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa. The citizens are referred to as "Batswana" . Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name after becoming independent within the Commonwealth on 30 September 1966...
historian Professor Thomas Tlou
Thomas Tlou
Thomas Tlou was a Botswana academic and historian, and former representative of Botswana at the United Nations.Tlou studied at Luther College, Johns Hopkins University, and the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the United States...
.
She has portrayed Precious Ramotswe, the heroine of Alexander McCall Smith
Alexander McCall Smith
Alexander "Sandy" McCall Smith, CBE, FRSE, is a Rhodesian-born Scottish writer and Emeritus Professor of Medical Law at the University of Edinburgh. In the late 20th century, McCall Smith became a respected expert on medical law and bioethics and served on British and international committees...
's #1 Ladies' Detective Agency book series, in amateur theater productions, and at one time was mentioned in media reports as a possible choice to portray Mma Ramotswe in the Hollywood film adaptation currently in production.
Following the October 2004 general election
Botswana general election, 2004
The Botswana general election of 2004 was contested by the Botswana Democratic Party and eight opposition parties. 57 seats in the Parliament were contested, with the largest opposition party, the Botswana National Front , accusing the Independent Election Commission of fundamental errors in its...
, Tlou was appointed as Minister of Health on November 9, 2004. After being defeated in primary elections of the Botswana Democratic Party
Botswana Democratic Party
The Botswana Democratic Party is the governing conservative party in Botswana. Its chairman is Daniel Kwelagobe.BDP was shaped by Sir Seretse Khama, who is celebrated for nurturing the economic and political success of Botswana. The party's base is in the traditional Setswana communities, and it...
(BDP) in Palapye
Palapye
Palapye is a large town in Botswana, situated about halfway between Francistown and Gaborone . Over the years its position has made it a convenient stopover on one of Southern Africa's principal north–south rail and road routes...
, Tlou was dismissed from the Cabinet on April 1, 2008, when Ian Khama
Ian Khama
Lieutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama is a Botswana politician who has been the President of Botswana since 2008; he is also the Paramount Chief of the Bamangwato tribe...
took office as President.
HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment
Much of Tlou's work focuses on gender issues and HIV/AIDS in southern Africa. Enabling women, particularly married women, in a patriarchal society to negotiate with their partner for safe sex has major consequences for HIV transmission. Tlou has worked with grassroots women's organisations and national campaigns to increase AIDS awareness in Botswana. She has also done a great deal of work in reducing the stigma of AIDS and helping HIV positive people cope with their lives.Awards
- May 2002 Anna Reynvaan prize, and gave prize lecture (Netherlands)
- September 2002 Presidential Order of Honour (Botswana)
- 2003 Florence Nightingale MedalFlorence Nightingale MedalThe Florence Nightingale Medal is a medal instituted in 1912 by the International Committee of the Red Cross. It is the highest international distinction a nurse can achieve and is awarded to nurses or nursing aides for "exceptional courage and devotion to the wounded, sick or disabled or to...
(International Committee of the Red CrossInternational Committee of the Red CrossThe International Committee of the Red Cross is a private humanitarian institution based in Geneva, Switzerland. States parties to the four Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their Additional Protocols of 1977 and 2005, have given the ICRC a mandate to protect the victims of international and...
)
Works
Tlou is a co-editor of the comprehensive reference book for people working in the field of HIV/AIDS in Africa:- With Max Essex, Souleymane Mboup, Phyllis J. Kanki, Richard G. Marlink (eds.) AIDS in Africa. Kluwer Academic / Plenum Publishers (2002). ISBN 0-306-46699-6
Selected other works:
- With K Norr and J Norr. "The threat of AIDS for women in developing countries". In F Cohen, JD Durham (Eds.) Women, children and HIV. New York: Springer (1993)
- With K Norr and B McElmurry. "AIDS prevention for women: a community-based approach in Botswana". Proceedings of the WHO Global Programme on AIDS meeting on effective approaches for the prevention of HIV/AIDS in women. Geneva, Switzerland, February 1995.
- “Women & AIDS in Southern Africa”. In proceedings and background papers on regional action, Southern African Development Community/ European Union conference on HIV/AIDS. Malawi, December 1996.
- With B Ingstad, B and F Bruun. "AIDS and the elderly Tswana: The concept of pollution and consequences for AIDS prevention". In Journal of Cross-cultural Gerontology Vol. 12 (1997)
- "Communication Strategy for the Introduction of Antiretroviral Therapy in Botswana". In The Science and Culture Series: Nuclear War and Planetary Emergencies. A Zichichi (ed). World Scientific Press (2001)
- "Mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Botswana". World Federation of Scientists Planetary Emergencies Conference. Erice, Italy, August 2001.
- With E Lindsey, M Hirschfeld and E Ncube. "Home-based care in Botswana: Experiences of older women and young girls". In Health Care for Women International Vol. 24. (2003)