News

Hivos devotes extra attention to groups with an increased risk of infection. MSM and transgender Youth is the group where the number of infections is steeply on the rise, they are seriously at risk of contracting HIV, but have very little possibilities to bring their issues in the spotlight. Current HIV programmes are not adequately targetting this population, mainly because the issues are not really known.

Voice for youth

World Aids Campaign and Hivos have now brought the youth representatives together to share and learn from each other's experiences and to formulate recommendations on how the issues of MSM and TG Youth can be better addressed in HIV programmes. After this event Hivos and WAC will use the recommendations to support the youth better.

Hivos’ policy for HIV/AIDS focuses mainly on educating people, ensuring fair access to care and medicines, advocating for better policies and promoting emancipation. Hivos devotes extra attention to groups with an increased risk of infection: women, teenagers and young adults, immigrants and refugees, sexual minorities, men who have sex with men, and poor people in urban and rural areas.

Report by Paul Jansen

Day 1:

The participants identified in their groups the key areas in which they face issues and challenges:
1. Stigma and discrimination (from the government, media, religious bodies, family, peers and the community): it is the non-respect for general human rights for all. Human rights seem not to apply
to young MSM and transgenders.
2. The educational system: sexuality is taboo in the classroom, there is no sex education and if there is, it is influenced by religious, traditional values and norms. While education is a basic
right and important for all!
3. Self issues: MSM and trans people lack a general understanding of sexuality and gender identity. This leads to confusion and isolation. Overcoming the self stigma and working towards self
acceptance is key!
4. The weak linking, networking and representation of young MSM and transgenders in HIV programmes and beyond
5. The lack of or difficult access to health and welfare services for young MSM and transgenders
The afternoon was spent with sessions on current activities in the various countries, projects done by and for youth MSM and transgenders, as well as a session by Fridae.com on the use of new technologies. Internet dating, sexting and other new means are widely used among the youth. The use of these means doesn't have to cost a lot, but can be very effective in reaching out to youth.

Day 2:

Another exciting day in Bangkok at the Youth Voices Count consultation for young MSM and transgenders from South East Asia and the Pacific. Yesterday, the day was closed with a more than fabulous cultural show in which participants wore traditional costumes. A Miss/Mr Youth Voices Count 2010 competition completed the show, which was won by Miss Laos and Miss Philippines as runner up. Today was back to business, serious business, as participants had to identify the gaps in HIV programming for youth MSM and transgenders. And those gaps are multiple and many are not easily solved. It ranges from issues around acceptation by their families, access to education and appropriate health services, as personal issues around what to do if you find out that you are HIV positive, where can you go and what happens next?
There seems to be a strong hesitance to find out about your HIV status. Bad news will mean, as youngsters see it, the end of your life, nothing left to live for. So better not have a HIV test and not find out what your HIV status is..... It is just one of the issues that came to the table at this consultation. Tomorrow the participants will look at the gaps and will formulate clear recommendations forward. A challenge, but this group can do it! The afternoon was spend with site visits to MSM and transgender services in Bangkok, like the Poz Home, the Thai Red Cross Clinic (which does more than a regular clinic) and Swing, an organisation which addresses the needs of sex workers in Bangkok, Pattaya and Samui. In my group, people were eager to learn more, hear more and see more.

Day 3:

The MSM and transgender Youth consultation on HIV has been concluded today with a great set of recommendations! All participants are extremely proud and excited to have had this consultation and to have now a set of recommendations to further shape the future agenda. Yes, a future agenda, as loads of work need to be done to change the situation for young MSM and transgenders in regard to HIV. Recommendations were formulated on basis of the key issues that were identified earlier in the consultation:

1. Stigma and discrimination
2. Education, lack of support and resources
3. Self issues
4. Networking
5. Health care and welfare, lack of support and resources

Some of the recommendations in brief:

ad 1: Data collection is needed on the needs, challenges and social complexities that young MSM and trangenders face and those living with HIV in particular.

ad 2. The sex education agenda needs to be adapted to incorporate and give full information on sexual orientation and gender identity, not only about reproductive health and the heterosexual norm.

ad. 3. Conduct a qualitative study/rapid assessment on the self issues of young MSM and transgenders. What is it exactly that they are facing? We assume a lot, but have very little information! To build self esteem and make young MSM and transgenders less vulnerable a curriculum should be developed and incorporated in sexuality and gender programmes. MSM and transgenders are normal!

ad 4. Young MSM and transgenders should have representation in sub regional and regional MSM and transgender networks! A separate youth MSM and transgender online community and network will be formed to build and strengthen the community.

ad 5. Health care workers should have training on the specific issues of young MSM and transgenders and young MSM and transgenders will work on a policy agenda to make sure that health programmes are adequately addressing the needs.

> The full report summary and recommendations will be available in two weeks time and can be requested/downloaded