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Addressing the Needs and Rights of Key Affected Women and Girls in Asia and the Pacific E-consultation. Unzip the Lips Workshop 21-22 September 2012 , Bangkok, Thailand. What is Unzip the Lips?.
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Addressing the Needs and Rights of Key Affected Women and Girls in Asia and the PacificE-consultation Unzip the Lips Workshop 21-22 September 2012 , Bangkok, Thailand
What is Unzip the Lips? • Platform : a group of organizations and individuals working for the rights and meaningful participation of key affected women and girls in the context of HIV and its intersections with other gender issues in the Asia Pacific region • Launched at ICAAP10 in August 2011 • Objectives : Clarify the definition of key affected women and girls (KAWG) • Regional awareness raising and advocacy for KAWG
Online consultation • Guiding question: What strategies would you prioritize to address the needs and rights of key affected women and girls (KAWG) in HIV and AIDS programmes? In your response please clarify who you consider KAWG , and what are the main challenges in ensuring a more enabling environment for these women and girls? • Respondents included networks of PLHIV, PUD, sex workers, transgender; and community based orgs
Key Issues: KAWG I • Lack of understanding on what populations constitute KAWG in Asia Pacific • Lack of disaggregated data necessary for targeted programming and policies • Basic human rights: not protected or respected. KAWG often lack ability to protect and claim their rights • Increased vulnerability to HIV • GBV, stigma, discrimination and criminalization of certain behaviours exacerbate their vulnerability to HIV • Low awareness of safe sex and STIs (inc HIV)
Key Issues: KAWG II • Access to services • Coverage of harm reduction services is insensitive to the needs of KAWG • Unfriendly/unsupportive healthcare services (including SRH) compounds the problems faced by KAWG • Funding Gap • Lack of financial support for women’s leadership • Lack of resources for R&D for women –initiated prevention options
Recommendations from the Online Consultation • KAWG should include: women and girls living with HIV, female sex workers, female drug users, female partners of men who have sex with men who are at a heightened risk of HIV in local settings • Ensure KAWG are meaningfully engaged in the HIV policies and programmes that affect them. Invest in strengthening the leadership at all levels
Recommendations II • Zero tolerance for GBV, stigma and discrimination, and criminalization of behaviour of KAWG • Actions to strengthen the legal and policy environment for the HIV response in the region • Increase investment to reach and provide services for KAWG, such as female IDUs, female intimate partners of MSM, transgender populations, and others • Increase awareness about safe sex, STIs, and ensure access to CSE for young KAWG • Strengthen the linkages between SRH and HIV programs