The main goal and objective of the Advocacy Department is to lobby and advocate on HIV and AIDS issues.

To identify policy gaps and national advocacy issues, mobilize members to lobby the authorities on identified issues.
1. Networking through Thematic Group Meetings where advocacy national advocacy issues and policy gaps are identified
2. Coordinate members' advocacy efforts in lobbying for the identified policy gaps.
3. Facilitate meetings between advocacy thematic groups, policy makers and the media.

We strive to build members' skills in advocacy through the following activities:
1. Identification of training gaps & advocacy key people to be trained
2. Designing training programmes and materials that are responsive to members' needs.
3. Conducting member training
4. Evaluating effectiveness of training

We strive to disseminate information to members to facilitate the advocacy process. To enable this, we do the following:
1. Identify topical issues in HIV and AIDS
2. Identify partners to work with in reference
3. Disseminate to members and the public (so that they can start to demand certain goods & services)
4. Promote and support the development of advocacy thematic groups.

Advocacy department works with other ZAN departments to fulfill its goals. The information department plays a crucial role in our advocacy efforts by gathering the necessary information that is needed in the various advocacy packages.The Capacity building department assists in our advocacy-training component.
The Networking department assists to identify possible partners and stakeholders for each advocacy activity and, networking through exhibitions, attending workshops of various fora and it is the main mandate of the department to plan and coordinate Thematic Group Meetings through the PLCs.

The Advocacy Department also facilitates promotional activities at provincial, national & international levels by showcasing the work of ZAN and its members to the public with a ZAN information stand