Prevention and Research Initiative for Sexual Minorities

(PRISM) -BONELA

SCHORER REGIONAL MEETING 2009

Prevention Strategy- MAINSTREAMING

SUMMARY- PRISM• Programme established with the aim of developing and

implementing an HIV/STI prevention & human rights initiative related to sexual minorities (MSM/WSW communities) in Botswana.

Rationale for PRISM• Premised on the belief that to achieve optimal success in the

national response to HIV / AIDS and STI prevention, treatment and care, it is essential for communities, particularly the most at risk groups like sexual minorities (MSM/WSW) to be involved in planning for the prevention programmes.

• This will create an opportunity for the communities to engage in decision and policy making processes that will empower and help the same communities to make informed lifestyle choices.

Objectives & Policy Issues1. To support and promote public health efforts towards sexual transmitted infections including the prevention of new HIV infections by 2016, by: Protecting of the physical, mental, spiritual and sexual health rights of MSM/WSW/LGBTI communities including those living with HIV,.

2.To promote and strengthen a human rights culture for all by; Promoting non-discrimination, equality and dignity for MSM/WSW/LGBTI communities and those living with HIV in the spirit of botho.

POLICY ISSUESHomophobic social policies and those that are silent on the LGBTI issues continue to compromise access by LGBTI to legal, social, economic and health care services

Contextual barriersHomophobic attitudes and punitive laws in Botswana create a discriminatory environment for people with non-heterosexual identities, making it difficult for them to access appropriate HIV/STI prevention methods and education.

Institutional barriersThe policies of particular settings are a huge challenge. For example, certain facilities have inadequate HIV education programmes, insufficient/ lack of prevention methods, forced sex and often make habitants vulnerable to HIV

MAINSTREAMING

Based on Needs Assessment and MSM study: Sensitization and trainings

For partner organizations to understand and conceptualize issues of human rights, STI/HIV in relation to sexual minorities

1.NGO management, DMSACs and NAC (mainly collaboration and partnerships)

2. BONELA Staff (enquiries and advocacy in diff fora)

3. NGO Programme Officers (Issues of VCT, Prevention methods etc)

4.Journalists (Issues of reporting-media as an advocacy tool)

5. Police and Prison Officers (case management etc)

IMPACT SO FAR…

• BONELA website (NA & MSM summaries uploaded then training manual)

• Recognition and visibility- Government/ Civil society/Policy makers

• Collaboration (NSF II, HIV and AIDS Interventions in Prisons)

• Committees

Way forward- more advocacy & work with MSM/WSW communities