In the dynamic sphere of global health and human rights, fostering inclusive and comprehensive approaches is paramount. During the last week of October 2024, I had the distinct honor of participating in an online consultation held on 2nd October 2024, orchestrated by the Love Alliance Partnership in collaboration with STOPAIDS, WACI Health, and the Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+). This initiative was a cornerstone in addressing pivotal issues related to community leadership and societal enablers, especially significant for individuals like myself—an HIV-positive gay person from Pakistan.
Overview of Consultation Process
The consultation, spanning from July to October 2024, comprised a series of meticulously organized meetings. These included an in-person meeting during the International AIDS Society Conference in Munich, Germany, and three online meetings. This collaborative effort was instrumental in creating a platform for linking and learning on global commitments, targets, and initiatives centered on health, rights, social accountability, and community leadership.
Core Themes Explored
The consultation series honed in on three core themes:
- Policies, Programs, and Investment in Community Leadership and Societal Enablers
- Scaling Up Community-Led Responses and Societal Enablers
- Accountability for Financial Investments
These themes were pivotal in highlighting the alignment between global targets and local policies and programs, with a key focus on the criminalization of communities impacted by HIV and LGBTIQ+ individuals.
Importance of Participation
My participation in this consultation was not just a personal milestone but a significant step towards amplifying the voices of marginalized communities. As an HIV-positive gay person from Pakistan, my experiences and insights brought a unique perspective to the discussions. Pakistan, like many other countries, grapples with persistent stigma and discrimination, particularly against LGBTIQ+ communities, people who use drugs, and sex workers. Such discrimination often leads to the exclusion of these communities from essential healthcare services, thereby exacerbating health inequities.
Fostering Change Through Advocacy
The insights garnered from this consultation series are set to shape a comprehensive white paper and advocacy roadmap. This roadmap aims to increase funding for community-led responses, expand civic space and freedoms, and progress towards decriminalization. It is crucial to address factors like criminalization, lack of funding, and exclusion in decision-making processes to foster an inclusive environment that upholds the rights and dignity of all individuals, irrespective of their HIV status or sexual orientation.
The consultation series epitomizes a collaborative effort to dismantle barriers and champion the rights of marginalized communities. My involvement in this process underscores the importance of inclusive dialogue and advocacy in driving meaningful change. By participating, I was able to contribute to a broader narrative that seeks to transform global health policies and ensure that no one is left behind in the fight against HIV and stigma.
Participating in such pivotal discussions is not just about sharing experiences but about paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable future. Through continuous advocacy and collaboration, we can foster an environment where every individual, regardless of their background, can access the care and support they need.
Read the complete report from consulation Here
Further Readings
● Global AIDS Strategy:
https://www.unaids.org/en/resources/documents/2021/2021-2026-global-AIDS-strategy
● HIV PREVENTION 2025 ROAD MAP – Page 5:
https://www.unaids.org/sites/default/files/media_asset/prevention-2025-roadmap_en.pdf
●
https://www.undp.org/blog/human-rights-and-sdgs-two-sides-same-coin
● The Every Woman Every Child Strategy:
https://data.unicef.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/EWEC_globalstrategyreport_200915_FINAL_WEB.pdf
● 2021 Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS:
https://hivlanguagecompendium.org/high-level-precedent/2021-political-declaration-on-hiv-and-aids.html
● 2019 Political Declaration on UHC:
https://hivlanguagecompendium.org/high-level-precedent/2019-political-declaration-of-the-hlm-on-uhc.html
● STOPAIDS Statement Highlighting Contrasts Between the 2019 1 and 2023 2 UHC Political Declarations https://stopaids.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/HLM-2023-UHC-statement-.pdf