Faith Leaders in Jamaica unite against HIV Stigma and Gender-Based ViolenceFaith leaders discussed psycho-social support for people living with and affected by HIV and stigma reduction
Image: Rev. Canon Garth Minott, Chair of the Regional Consultative Steering Committee (The Religious Steering Committee) and PANCAP Champion
The clash of sexual practices with doctrinal values, faith, miracles and the need for scientific proof, psycho-social support for people living with and affected by HIV and stigma reduction as a human rights issue, formed the discussion at the 2019 PANCAP Consultation. The discussion was held on Thursday, 6 June 2019 at the Baha’i Centre, Mountain View Avenue Kingston.
Dereck Springer, Director of the Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP), delivered remarks at the Jamaica Faith Leaders’ event, which is a follow up to a series of national and regional consultations held in 2018 and 2019 as a part of PANCAP’s Justice for All programme.
PANCAP has been holding discussions with Faith Leaders since its inception in 2001, recognizing the key role of religion in the life of Caribbean people. The PANCAP Champions for Change Programme, which started in 2004, identified religious leaders as critical influencers in reducing stigma and discrimination as an essential part of human rights. This 2019 consultation in Jamaica continues the work of creating the faith leaders network in Jamaica with emphasis on their part in ending HIV.
Other speakers included Karlene Temple-Anderson, Grants Manager, Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) and Rev. Canon Garth Minott, Chair of the Regional Consultative Steering Committee (The Religious Steering Committee) and a PANCAP Champion, who presented a report on the Jamaica Faith Leaders Consultations. The report included work by the Muslim, Baha’i and Rastafari Inity communities.
Other Strategic Partnerships included AIDS HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION (AHF), UNAIDS, Jamaica AIDS Support for Life (JASL), United Theological College of the West Indies (UTCWI), International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace and The Jamaica Council of Churches (JCC).
For more information, contact Patricia Phillips on 876-‐801-‐9150 or patriciahopeyphillips@gmail.com
Contact:
Rev. Canon Garth Minott Telephone: 876-‐337-‐7739 Email: g.minott@gmail.com