1. PAN African MSM Network Presented by Danilo da Silva

2. Contextualization In Africa sexuality is an issue hard to discuss openly in the public arena. Sexual minorities are neither recognized as an African issue nor a political priority. Aggravating the situation, we have several African heads state and religious leaders promoting hate speech, legitimizing homophobia and stigmatization of sexual minorities. Gender values and social norms regarding sexuality drive many African men to hide their sexual orientation, making them to live double lives in order to keep their social role and status quo. Apart from South Africa, we have several countries in the continent that criminalize same sex practices and also those who, in their eyes “promote” such behavior. Due to strong social pressure and part because many of these organization,working in the AIDS field, are in somehow related to religious groups or have traditional family values, do not consider prevention focusing MSM as a priority and are not willing to include MSM.

3. Contextualization: The PAN Africa MSM Network initiative The PAN Africa MSM network is an 18 LGBTI African organizations network that joined together to find a common understanding and response to the epidemic in the African MSM community. Our objective is to advocate for equitable effective access prevention and treatment services tailored to the needs of gay and MSM while promoting the health and Human Rights in the continent. The discussion started in Nairobi May 2008; The formal meeting took place during the AIDS conference in Mexico in August 2008 and was funded by Ofxam, IGLHRC and UNDP A list serve was created to keep the discussion running; Formal meeting was scheduled for February 2009 – did not take place;

4. Constraints of ONGs Working with MSM Institutional homophobia plays a major role and undermines the work of organizations working with sexual minorities, such as MSM. Recently in Senegal we had the arrestment of MSM HIV activists, followed by the Burundian bill against same-sex practices. In Mozambique, LAMBDA is struggling for more than a year to get the legal registration - Government is mute, violating the constitution and all international treaties signed. All these constraints faced by MSM community and organizations do not collaborate to the effort of building adequate HIV responses. Moreover, this institutional homophobia blocks any network and organization development among MSM. Lack of data – Few research has been done in the field. Lack on funding – Governments don’t fund MSM NGO’s because they believe by doing so, they are promoting homosexuality.

5. Example: Mozambique Government burying its head in the sand The current Mozambican national HIV strategic Plan does not mention sexual minorities. Lambda is member of MARPS technical group, created under national strategy for acceleration of HIV prevention. Recently, Lambda worked in the definition of the local concept of vulnerability, and consequently in the definition of the most vulnerable groups, which one of them was MSM. Although MSM had been include in the technical proposal presented to the government, this document was changed by decision makers (Council of Ministers) leaving out MSM and other groups such as IDU without further explanation. This invisibility of MSM in the HIV public policies enhances the vulnerability that affects our community, making us at great risk of acquiring HIV, demonstrating the unwillingness of the government to discuss the issue of MSM in the public arena.

6. Why do we need specific intervention strategies? Despite the lack of data, prevalence rates among MSM are higher than the general population Different sexual practices, need different messages ( e.g WSW) Misconception in risk transmission of HIV virus trough unprotected anal sex; Specific sexual beliefs among MSM must be adequately addressed UNAIDS recognizes the importance of specific interventions even in generalized epidemic settings Grassroots mobilization is fundamental to tackle all the issue around HIV prevention (people must have ownership of prevention programs in order to make them more effective); Human rights guarantee must be a fundamental part on any HIV response plan, according to the UNGASS declaration of commitment.

7. How Pan African MSM Network can do? PAN African MSM Network can be a watchdog, making sure that MSM are included in the government HIV AIDS prevention strategies, both at country level and in the regional level; PAN African MSM Network can be a local response for African MSM – We know the in and outs of the MSM community

8. Main challenges for MSM Community in Africa MSM must organize themselves to amplify visibility; Change of legal framework to guarantee Human Right protection; Data production to subsidize evidence informed interventions; MSM organization must beneficiate from capacity building efforts in order to develop ownership of HIV prevention initiatives; Cultural values on gender and sexuality must be transformed;

9. Our recommendations NACs (National AIDS Councils)/Governments should look at other African countries that have MSM prevention programs in order to provide a comprehensive response; NACs/Governments should look at aids problem from an evidence based perspective rather than from religious, cultural or moral point of view ; NACs/Governments should support technically and financially local organization that work with MSM in groups in order to make grassroots organization stronger and responsive to HIV/AIDS epidemic. NACs/Governments should advocate for legal recognition of MSM organization and above all promote exchange in order to guarantee human rights as a key feature of AIDS epidemic responses. International agencies and donors should remind the government about their commitment to fight AIDS

10. Obrigado! Kanimambo! Thank you! danilodasilva@lambda.org.mz +258 84 3998814