NETWORK PRESENTATION- Botswana Network on Ethics, Law and HIV/AIDS(BONELA) REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON HIV/AIDS and VULNERABLE GROUPS MARCH 11-13, 2009, CAPE TOWN

BONELA BONELA Promotes a just and inclusive environment for people affected by HIV and AIDS through education, training community members, advocating for better policies and laws, raising public awareness through media campaigns, monitoring human rights violations, researching key issues and providing free legal aid.

FOCUSING ON BONELA ISSUES Rights in the Workplace Rights around HIV testing Right to health Children’s rights Women’s rights Reproductive health rights Rights for prisoners and people with non-heterosexual identities Rights for sex workers Rights for people living with disabilities

PRISM BASELINE In 2007 BONELA interviewed different organizations to identify gaps and needs of MSM and WSW regarding ability to access prevention services. Basing on the findings, recommendations for the Prevention and Research Initiative for Sexual Minorities (PRISM) implementation were made. Another study- (MSM HIV prevalence probe) to improve the understanding of HIV prevention, sexual behavior and uptake of prevention services was conducted in The study was in 2 parts; a qualitative component that explores knowledge and behavior, and a HIV prevalence using salivary exudates (oral swab).

Challenges Legal context (“carnal knowledge against the order of nature”) Socio-cultural barriers Attitudes (homophobic) at all levels Stigma and discrimination Political will power and buy-in Knowledge and information Donor dependence Non-registration of LeGaBiBo

LESSONS LEARNT Area of policy is a long term commitment Advocacy is a big investment in terms of money, time, people involved Good for awareness raising and ownership building if done properly Have to be focused on what needs to be achieved Strong leadership to facilitate in keeping the advocacy on track

Recommendations Need for collaboration, education and training of public health staff The legislative environment need to support/accommodate minorities Broader research and continuous information dissemination needed

Conclusions Sex workers/MSM/WSW need social and political support Sex workers/MSM/WSW need tailored health education Public health services need to offer vulnerable groups a deliberate service Various stakeholders need to take note of emerging abuse against vulnerable groups Empowerment of MSM/WSW communities and a strengthening of self esteem is needed

PRISM IMPLEMENTATION Dissemination of the needs assessment and MSM study findings Educating the general public on MSM/WSW/LGBTI issues as well as MSM/WSW/LGBTIs for empowerment Trainings for service providers and leaders in various settings for capacity building and skill enhancement Advocacy, sensitization and lobbying various levels of policy makers Workshops, public forums or dialogues, production of IEC materials (booklets and pamphlets) and other media modes like radio talk shows and newspapers will be used as a strategy.

FINALLY Fulfilling the rights of men who have sex with men and women who have sex with women as well as sex workers is not only intrinsically valuable, it is also a critical means for improved health outcomes for them and the broader community in the long term