Archives: Media Releases

Caribbean Regional Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS (CRN+) convened its first Board of Directors Meeting for 2019

The Caribbean Regional Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (CRN+) Board Meeting was convened at the Hilton Hotel, Port of Spain, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago on 15 March 2019.

The Meeting brought together CRN+ Board of Directors, Technical Advisory Group and Secretariat staff to further review and solicit input for improved governance and management of CRN+.  The principal objective of the meeting was to review and revise the CRN+’s strategic direction for CRN+.

The meeting provided an opportunity to reflect on the current operations of CRN+ and develop new plans for the organisation.  It was agreed that in order to improve the governance and management of CRN+, an organisational assessment must be conducted to determine the impact and relevance of CRN+.  The results of the assessment will inform the new strategic direction of the network and the development of a resource mobilisation strategy and operational plan. The board will mobilise funding to conduct the assessment and develop the resource mobilization strategy and operational plan.

The meeting agreed that increased involvement of PLHIV in the regional and national HIV responses will require continued and improved collaboration with National AIDS Programmes.

It was also agreed that board members will be assigned to support select national networks.

Woman 2 Woman: Sex & Sexuality Forum

On Thursday, 7 March, the “Teabox Lounge” in South Hill, Anguilla came alive with laughter and tears as a cross-section of women gathered to discuss a topic that they all had in common:  women’s sexuality.  The forum, entitled “Woman to Woman” was coordinated by the National Chronic Disease Unit, Anguilla which has responsibility for sexual and reproductive health programming, in partnership with the Gender Affairs Unit under the 2019 Women’s Week activities.

The purpose of “Woman to Woman” was to provide a platform for discussion on sensitive issues relating to female sexuality without judgement in a supportive and safe environment.

Through dramatic presentations by the cast of the “Vagina Monologues” (Senoj Creations), and games such as “Sexual Charades” and “Label My Parts”, topics such as “My body after childbirth”, infertility, masturbation, sexual abuse, sexual stereotyping and mental abuse were presented and discussed by the audience.

Obstetrician, Dr Kareema Matthews, Clinical Psychologist, Dr Olufunmike Banks-Devonish and Director of Gender Affairs, Dr Ronya Foy Connor comprised the panellists who clarified misconceptions, expounded upon and explained factual content and provided appropriate references for the group.

The three-hour discussion forum was hosted by Ms Nisha Dupie and Ms Glenneva Hodge.

Director of the Chronic Disease Unit, Mrs Twyla Bradshaw-Richardson stated that is was refreshing to hear the candid discourse and the call for similar forums.   She stated, “often the conversations are turned off because they are too difficult, which reinforces a myriad of challenges that face us today.  I hope that the forum will be the springboard for such conversations and we can move away from the tendency to tune out such discourse”.  Organisers intend to host “Woman to Woman” as an annual event.

Caribbean citizens invited to join conversation about human dignity

On Wednesday 24 April 2019 the Region is invited to participate in “Living good: dignified lives and just communities”.  The community dialogue is jointly hosted by the University of the West Indies Rights Advocacy Project (URAP), the Trinidad and Tobago Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC), CAISO: Sex & Gender Justice, UNAIDS and the NGC Bocas Lit Fest.

It will bring together regional voices working in the fields of gender justice, HIV, domestic violence, workers’ rights, ethics, mental health and governance to explore how we can ensure all people have access to the minimum conditions to lead a dignified life.

“Respect for human dignity is central to all human rights. A dignified life includes being able to make choices that we think are best for our lives and having the opportunity to realise our fullest potential,” explained URAP Co-coordinator, Tracy Robinson.

The conversation will be moderated by Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC) Chairperson, Lynette Seebaran Suite. The EOC works towards the elimination of discrimination and the promotion of equality of opportunity through advocacy, public education, research and the reconciliation of complaints.

The event will include an exploration of the theme in the context of the landmark Caribbean Court of Justice judgment in Mc Ewan v AG by Ms Robinson.

The panellists are as follows:

Cyrus Sylvester, The Patient Advocate Mission
Élysse Marcellin, Mindwise, a Mental Health Project
Patrice Daniel, Walking into Walls
Rev. Elvis Elahie, Values Educator
Roberta Clarke, Coalition against Domestic Violence
Sophia Chote, SC, Trinidad and Tobago Independent Senator
Steve Theodore, Amalgamated Workers Union

The event will be held at the Chaguanas Borough Corporation Auditorium on Cumberbatch Street in Chaguanas, Trinidad from 7 PM – 9 PM local time. A Livestream will be available on facebook.com/unaidscaribbean (Start time is 5 PM in Belize, 6 PM in Jamaica and 7 PM in the Eastern Caribbean and Guyana). For those with questions about participating in-person, please contact 868 322-7373 or facebook.com/caiso.

PANCAP Regional Meeting concludes with calls for holistic approach to providing migrant health services through an intersectoral strategy

Thursday, 11 April 2019 (PANCAP Coordinating Unit, CARICOM Secretariat): The Pan-Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP), the mechanism that provides a structured and unified approach to the Caribbean’s response to the HIV epidemic, concluded the regional meeting to provide guidance on the implementation of the Regional Framework on Migrant Health and Rights on 11 April 2019 in Port-of-Spain, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

The purpose of the meeting was to facilitate input from regional stakeholders for finalising a guidance document on how to implement the Framework on Migrant Health and Rights within their country context.

The outcomes of the meeting included an agreement on a holistic approach to providing services for migrants including social services through an intersectoral strategy.

Participants emphasised that the health priorities of each territory must guide the implementation of the Migrant Framework at the country level as well as all policies governing access to migrants’ health.

Participants also agreed on the implementation of the Framework on Migrant Health and Rights at the country level in the interest of protecting and safeguarding public health throughout the region.

Participants were exposed to country presentations from Guyana and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, which provided details of the situation and response to Venezuelan migrants as well as experiences from Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, The Bahamas and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).  These experiences illustrated the need for the implementation of the Framework to ensure consistent access to health by migrants.

There was also broad agreement on the need to implement the Framework at the country level from a Human Rights perspective.

Participants called for research into the financial and human resource capacity that is essential to provide holistic health services for migrants. The meeting noted the urgent need for strategic information for decision-making regarding the type of services necessary for migrants.  It was also recommended that countries research the requirements for a minimum package of services for migrants.

Participants also recommended research into sourcing a financial mechanism to mobilise funding for access to all healthcare by migrants.

Building strategic partnerships within the public health system to advance holistic treatment for migrants was proposed as a necessary step which would provide immediate results for improving access to services by migrants.  Participants also advocated for creating strategic alliances with social services to offer comprehensive care for migrants including sexual and reproductive health services, housing, nutrition, etc.

There were calls for an education, training and sensitisation programme for immigration and border patrol officers to provide guidance on the health, social and psychological requirements of migrants.

Educating the media on the positive impact of migration and highlighting the benefits of integrating migrants into society through public awareness communication campaigns was also recommended. Participants emphasised the need to utilise the regional media to highlight the positive aspects of migrants’ culture to reduce negative perceptions.

Mr Dereck Springer, Director of PANCAP, committed to PANCAP continuing high-level engagements with policymakers, including Ministers of Health and Finance and the CARICOM Secretariat to advocate for access to health by migrants as a public health priority.

The Director highlighted that PANCAP would follow up with countries on the implementation of the Migrant Framework through the PANCAP Justice for All Programme and the PANCAP Policy and Strategy Working Group on Stigma and Discrimination.

The PANCAP Director concluded the meeting with a challenge for participants to advocate at the country-level for an intersectoral holistic approach to providing services for migrants which would incorporate their social and psychological needs.  He noted that the draft guidance on the implementation of the framework proposed by participants is not prescriptive and can be adapted based on the requirements of each territory.

Participants included Port Health Medical Officers, Representatives of Ministries of National Security and Border Affairs, Legal officers and Protection Officers, International Development partners, Permanent Secretaries, Ministries of Health, Chief Medical Officers, National AIDS Programme Managers, Immigration Officers, Civil society partners that work with key populations, Youth Leaders, Private Sector, Academia, and the International Organization for Migration.

  – ENDS –

Helpful links:

PANCAP Rights-Based Framework for Migrant Health and Rights 2018

https://pancap.org/pancap-documents/pancap-rights-based-framework-for-migrant-health-and-rights-2018/

Meeting to provide guidance to countries on how to operationalise the regional framework on migrant health and rights – Event page

https://pancap.org/pancap-events/regional-forum-on-migrants-and-mobile-populations-rights-and-health-2/

What is PANCAP?

PANCAP is a Caribbean regional partnership of governments, regional civil society organisations, regional institutions and organisations, bilateral and multilateral agencies and contributing donor partners which was established on 14 February 2001. PANCAP provides a structured and unified approach to the Caribbean’s response to the HIV epidemic, coordinates the response through the Caribbean Regional Strategic Framework on HIV and AIDS to maximise efficient use of resources and increase impact, mobilises resources and build capacity of partners. 

Editor’s Notes

Background to the Meeting to provide guidance to countries on how to operationalise the regional framework on migrant health and rights

CARICOM governments have signed on to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and other relevant international conventions as evidence of their commitment to protect and promote the rights of migrants. The International Convention on the Protection of Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families 1990 is the most comprehensive instrument protecting the rights of migrants but only St Vincent and the Grenadines has ratified this convention.  With respect to migrant workers, some countries have ratified the following conventions: #97 Migration for Employment; #111  Concerning discrimination in respect of employment and occupation; and #138 Concerning minimum age for admission to employment.

Previous assessments/studies have found that in the majority of countries, the HIV-related needs of migrants and mobile populations are not integrated in the national HIV response and existing health care programmes. Little data is available on diverse mobile populations and there are no culturally and linguistically appropriate HIV intervention programmes targeting mobile populations, especially high-risk groups including sex workers and MSM.  Strict immigration policies adopted by some governments may drive sex workers underground, thereby making them and their clients more vulnerable to contracting HIV. Migrant workers in some countries are consistently listed among the most vulnerable populations owing to, among other factors; their legal status, lack of access to information and services, language barriers and poverty. However, to date no comprehensive strategies exist to address HIV prevention among this vulnerable population. There is limited understanding of the profile of the epidemic among migrant workers or the factors that increase this population’s vulnerability to HIV.

Given the challenges outlined above PANCAP, with funding from the Global Fund in June 2018, developed a regional rights-based framework to increase the access of migrants and mobile populations to HIV prevention, care, support and treatment.

The Framework sets out a roadmap for equitable and non-discriminatory access to health care services across the Caribbean for mobile and migrant populations regardless of age, race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, property, birth or other status. The Framework responds to the findings of two multi-country studies conducted by PANCAP over the period 2011 – 2015 which highlighted the barriers to access HIV services by migrant and mobile populations. Following a participatory approach involving representation from Government, (Ministry of Health, Chief Medical Officers, National AIDS Programmes, Immigration Officers) Civil Society (Migrant groups and other key population groups) and international and regional organisations including, PANCAP, UWI, IOM, UNHCR and UNAIDS at a regional forum in Trinidad and Tobago from the 26-27 June 2018, the mandate was for the development of a more comprehensive roadmap for a Regional Rights-Based Framework to Increase the Access of Migrants and Mobile Populations to HIV Prevention, Care, Support and Treatment.

The Framework is rationalised with the vision of regionalism under the CSME and sets out guiding principles and recommended strategies for regional and national action. The Protocol on Contingent Rights was adopted and opened for signature at the 39th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community held in Montego Bay, Jamaica on 4-6 July 2018. It was signed by seven countries (Barbados, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Suriname) but is not yet in force. The Protocol grants rights to CARICOM nationals exercising the right of establishment, provision of services, movement of capital or free movement of skills. Spouses and immediate dependents are also entitled to enjoy these rights.

The Framework on Migrant Health and Rights was subsequently endorsed by the Priority Areas Coordinating Committee (technical committee of the PANCAP Executive Board), PANCAP Executive Board and the Council for Human and Social Development – Ministers of Health). The Priority Areas Coordinating Committee recommended that PANCAP should identify a model that can be used to guide countries in operationalising the Framework to their county context.

PANCAP Regional Meeting to Focus On Implementation of Migrant Health and Rights Framework

Tuesday, 2 April 2019 (PANCAP Coordinating Unit, CARICOM Secretariat): The Pan-Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP), the mechanism that provides a structured and unified approach to the Caribbean’s response to the HIV epidemic, will host a regional meeting to provide guidance on the implementation of the Regional Framework on Migrant Health and Rights on 10 – 11 April 2019 in Port-of-Spain, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

The Framework was developed by stakeholders at the Regional Forum on Migrants’ and Mobile Populations’ Health and Rights in June 2018 with funding from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

The purpose of the Framework is to increase the access of migrants and mobile populations to HIV prevention, care, support and treatment. The Framework provides a roadmap for equitable and non-discriminatory access to health care services across the Caribbean for mobile and migrant populations regardless of age, race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, property, birth or other status.

The Framework was subsequently endorsed by the Priority Areas Coordinating Committee (PACC – the technical committee of the PANCAP Executive Board), PANCAP Executive Board and the Council for Human and Social Development – Ministers of Health (COHSOD). The PACC recommended that PANCAP identify a model to guide countries in operationalising the Framework within their country context.  This will be the focus of the upcoming regional meeting.

The meeting is occurring a few weeks after Hon. Terrence Deyalsingh, Minister of Health, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago announced that mi­grants will re­ceive the same free health care as na­tion­als, par­tic­u­lar­ly in re­la­tion to sex­u­al­ly trans­mit­ted dis­eases.

The Minister was speaking at the Seventh Meeting of National AIDS Programme Managers and Key Partners held on 11 – 13 March in Port-of-Spain.  The Minister further stated, “We have tak­en a de­ci­sion in Trinidad and To­ba­go, you know we have Venezue­lan mi­grants, to treat them as na­tion­als. Be­cause mi­grants do not live in iso­la­tion in the coun­tries they mi­grate to. They mix with the rest of the pop­u­la­tion; they in­te­grate them­selves with the en­vi­ron­ment.  So we have tak­en a pol­i­cy de­ci­sion at the Min­istry of Health to treat all mi­grants re­gard­less of their coun­try of ori­gin as cit­i­zens of Trinidad and To­ba­go when it comes to pub­lic health”.

PANCAP Director, Dereck Springer stated that the Minister’s announcement could not be more timely as a pivotal aspect of the upcoming meeting will be the input provided by participants for finalising a guidance document on how to implement the Framework on Migrant Health and Rights within their country context.

The Director further highlighted that the objectives of the meeting are to share the findings of a desk review on models/guidance for operationalising the Framework on Migrants Health and Rights and validate the findings of an assessment of the needs of countries’ health systems to provide services for migrants.

Participants will include Port Health Medical Officers, Representatives of Ministries of National Security and Border Affairs, Legal officers and Protection Officers, International Development partners, Permanent Secretaries, Ministries of Health, Chief Medical Officers, National AIDS Programme Managers, Immigration Officers, Civil society partners that work with key populations, Faith Leaders, Youth Leaders, Private Sector, Academia, the International Organization for Migration and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees  – The UN Refugee Agency.

– ENDS –

 

Helpful links:

PANCAP Rights-Based Framework for Migrant Health and Rights 2018

https://pancap.org/pancap-documents/pancap-rights-based-framework-for-migrant-health-and-rights-2018/

Meeting to provide guidance to countries on how to operationalise the regional framework on migrant health and rights – Event page

https://pancap.org/pancap-events/regional-forum-on-migrants-and-mobile-populations-rights-and-health-2/

What is PANCAP?

PANCAP is a Caribbean regional partnership of governments, regional civil society organisations, regional institutions and organisations, bilateral and multilateral agencies and contributing donor partners which was established on 14 February 2001. PANCAP provides a structured and unified approach to the Caribbean’s response to the HIV epidemic, coordinates the response through the Caribbean Regional Strategic Framework on HIV and AIDS to maximise efficient use of resources and increase impact, mobilises resources and build capacity of partners.

Editor’s Notes

Background to the Meeting to provide guidance to countries on how to operationalise the regional framework on migrant health and rights

CARICOM governments have signed on to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and other relevant international conventions as evidence of their commitment to protect and promote the rights of migrants. The International Convention on the Protection of Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families 1990 is the most comprehensive instrument protecting the rights of migrants but only St Vincent and the Grenadines has ratified this convention.  With respect to migrant workers, some countries have ratified the following conventions: #97 Migration for Employment; #111  Concerning discrimination in respect of employment and occupation; and #138 Concerning minimum age for admission to employment.

Previous assessments/studies have found that in the majority of countries, the HIV-related needs of migrants and mobile populations are not integrated in the national HIV response and existing health care programmes. Little data is available on diverse mobile populations and there are no culturally and linguistically appropriate HIV intervention programmes targeting mobile populations, especially high-risk groups including sex workers and MSM.  Strict immigration policies adopted by some governments may drive sex workers underground, thereby making them and their clients more vulnerable to contracting HIV. Migrant workers in some countries are consistently listed among the most vulnerable populations owing to, among other factors; their legal status, lack of access to information and services, language barriers and poverty. However, to date no comprehensive strategies exist to address HIV prevention among this vulnerable population. There is limited understanding of the profile of the epidemic among migrant workers or the factors that increase this population’s vulnerability to HIV.

Given the challenges outlined above PANCAP, with funding from the Global Fund in June 2018, developed a regional rights-based framework to increase the access of migrants and mobile populations to HIV prevention, care, support and treatment.

The Framework sets out a roadmap for equitable and non-discriminatory access to health care services across the Caribbean for mobile and migrant populations regardless of age, race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, property, birth or other status. The Framework responds to the findings of two multi-country studies conducted by PANCAP over the period 2011 – 2015 which highlighted the barriers to access HIV services by migrant and mobile populations. Following a participatory approach involving representation from Government, (Ministry of Health, Chief Medical Officers, National AIDS Programmes, Immigration Officers) Civil Society (Migrant groups and other key population groups) and international and regional organisations including, PANCAP, UWI, IOM, UNHCR and UNAIDS at a regional forum in Trinidad and Tobago from the 26-27 June 2018, the mandate was for the development of a more comprehensive roadmap for a Regional Rights-Based Framework to Increase the Access of Migrants and Mobile Populations to HIV Prevention, Care, Support and Treatment.

The Framework is rationalised with the vision of regionalism under the CSME and sets out guiding principles and recommended strategies for regional and national action. The Protocol on Contingent Rights was adopted and opened for signature at the 39th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community held in Montego Bay, Jamaica on 4-6 July 2018. It was signed by seven countries (Barbados, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Suriname) but is not yet in force. The Protocol grants rights to CARICOM nationals exercising the right of establishment, provision of services, movement of capital or free movement of skills. Spouses and immediate dependents are also entitled to enjoy these rights.

The Framework on Migrant Health and Rights was subsequently endorsed by the Priority Areas Coordinating Committee (technical committee of the PANCAP Executive Board), PANCAP Executive Board and the Council for Human and Social Development – Ministers of Health). The Priority Areas Coordinating Committee recommended that PANCAP should identify a model that can be used to guide countries in operationalising the Framework to their county context.

Director’s message – March 2019

“We are PANCAP”. Upon my assumption to the office of Director of PANCAP I was struck by partners who referred to us – the staff in the PANCAP Coordinating Unit (PCU) – as “you all at PANCAP”. Every time I heard that statement I cringed because it seemed at that time that they limited PANCAP to the secretariat – PCU. My response was to work to ensure that every partner understood that we are all PANCAP. I repeated that phrase so often that eventually partners, even those who were new, began to also say “we are PANCAP”.

I reflected on this statement many times during the recently held Seventh Meeting of National AIDS Programme Managers and Key Partners. I reflected on my one-on-one meetings with staff at the PCU when I would remind them that although we were fewer in number, we must work smarter to demonstrate PANCAP’s added value to the Region.  But we had to ask ourselves several questions and to be brutally honest with ourselves. Why would anyone want to support PANCAP in an environment of declining resources when countries are also struggling with the sustainability of their response? What is it that PANCAP does that others do not or cannot do? We could not just say that we are a best practice because UNAIDS said we were several years ago. We will be judged based on what we deliver now. Are we responsive to the needs of the people whom we were established to serve? Are we utilizing the comparative advantage of each partner? Are we really giving a voice to the voiceless? Are we judging our key population brothers and sisters? Are we embracing them or are we just ticking a box to satisfy our donors? The responses to those questions led us in the PCU along a journey to transform our image and how we work.

Weeks before the Seventh Meeting of NAP managers and Key Partners I began to sense that the Partnership’s goodwill was restored. I did not need any entity to tell me that the tide had turned. The response to our invitation was overwhelming. Our civil society, government, regional and development partners were calling and writing to us to be included on the agenda or as participants in the meeting. We sought donor approval to increase the budget to meet the demand but eventually our dedicated meeting coordinator informed me that we had surpassed the maximum.

As I escorted Honourable Terrence Deyalsingh, Minister of Health, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and Chair of the PANCAP Executive Board to the podium to begin the opening ceremony, I was overcome with emotions. My staff know that I am very emotional. I struggled to hold back the tears of gratitude and joy. I felt the energy of the Partnership in that room. I felt the feeling of ownership of the Partnership. In that moment I knew for sure that “we are PANCAP”. I remembered the CSO representative from Antigua and Barbuda looking over at me. As I passed her, she said “smile just smile”. Those words helped me to put a smile in my voice. The post below from Anderson Langdon, Executive Director of the Barbados Family Planning Association following the PANCAP Knowledge for Health Share Fair sums up what we can achieve as a collective – our regional vision of an AIDS-Free Caribbean.

Double Positive provides PLHIV with entrepreneurial skills

The Double Positive Foundation, with funding from Kansfonds, Netherlands, facilitated a training programme for 18 HIV positive women of the Central Penitentiary in Santo Boma, Suriname.  The training aimed to build the capacity of participants in sewing and embroidery with the overarching goal of empowering the participants to be entrepreneurs with skills to create and market their original embroidery products.

The training programme was created in collaboration with the Marron Vrouwen Networks.

According to Ms Ethel Pengel, Chair, Double Positive, “our intention was to provide skills for these women to work independently when they are released.  The programme provided unique skills in designing and creating original clothing and embroidery products.  Double Positive was proud to be part of an initiative that provides these women with the ability to earn their own income and provide for their families”.

UCTRANS to address rights of transgender persons at upcoming Executive Board

UCTRANS will host its Executive Board and Steering Committee Strategic Planning Meeting 5 – 9 April 2019 in Nassau, The Bahamas. Trans leaders from CARICOM countries and OAS Member States will unite to discuss the way forward.

According to Ms Alexus D’Marco, Chair, UCTRANS, “The rights of transgender persons are protected by a range of international agreements. Countries that are signatories to these binding treaties are required under international law to respect the treaty provisions, including those relevant to the human rights of LGBT. However, punitive national laws and policies, as well as the failure of states to adopt or adhere to the provisions of the international conventions, adversely impact transgender people and fail to recognize their human rights”.

She underscored that most countries in the Caribbean have no legal recognition of transgender affirmed gender identity. Without official documents that recognize their gender identity, transgender people are often denied access to basic rights, including the right to health, education, justice and social welfare. This often results in exclusion from social and civic participation, harassment and stigmatization, limited access to protection, justice and redress and inadequate provision of health care services. Transgender people are also more susceptible to violence, including physical and sexual violence.

The Chair highlighted that in the Caribbean, population size estimates for the transgender community are largely absent. Similarly, data on incidences of gender-based violence prevalence among transgender persons is limited. Where information is available, it indicates significantly higher rates of HIV prevalence. Transgender women are also particularly affected by HIV. Estimates show that HIV prevalence for transgender women in the region range from 8% to 31% and there are few support programmes that address their specific needs. Where programmes do exist, they rarely include access to sexual and reproductive health services or HIV prevention, testing and treatment services.

ECADE urges policymakers to denounce violence and discrimination following murder of Michael Pooran

The Eastern Caribbean Alliance for Diversity and Equality (ECADE) has issued a statement denouncing all forms of violence and discrimination following the murder of Guyanese National Michael Pooran.

ECADE stated that groups representing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Caribbean citizens have long cautioned governments that buggery and gross indecency laws pose a threat to the lives of anyone perceived to be gay, and therefore criminal. In the wake of the murder of Michael Pooran on 23 February 2019, local human rights group United and Strong and regional umbrella organisation ECADE, urged governments to strongly denounce any form of violence and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression.

“As we stand in sympathy with the family…we encourage the governments of Saint Lucia and the Eastern Caribbean to re-examine the impact of the Buggery and Gross indecency Laws (Criminal Code, sections 132, 133) that are widely interpreted as criminalisation of the LGBT community. These laws create an image of gay people as criminals and embolden others with a sense of impunity that has proven to be a real threat to anyone whose gender expression is felt to be outside of the norm,” stated ECADE.

The organization further stated that individuals who may not fit what might be considered “normal” or “accepted” gender expressions are at risk and that protection of all vulnerable groups equals protection of every citizen and allows everyone the freedom of expression.

The statement underscored that in 2018, the 48th OAS General Assembly approved a tenth resolution on “Human Rights, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity” that encourages member states to consider “adopting public policies against discrimination by reason of sexual orientation and gender identity”. ECADE noted that while this resolution does not insist on full protection of LGBT citizens, progressive governments could enact the necessary legislation.

“Our government has recognised and committed to international fora to respect, protect and fulfil the rights of all citizens. It is therefore unfortunate that our police force cannot identify or prosecute bias or hate crimes and the lack of legislation may serve as a barrier to providing full protection to those who are, or perceived to be, gay”, stated ECADE.

ECADE committed to continuing advocacy to achieve full recognition of the human rights of all people through litigation. The organisation indicated that it would continue to monitor and engage with law enforcement, the judiciary and state representatives.

NAPS Guyana empowering PLHIV with culinary skills training

The National AIDS Programme Secretariat Guyana, with funding from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Cooperative Agreement, successfully trained 18 persons in food preparation techniques and healthy eating practical sessions.  Experts in the culinary arts facilitated the training at the Carnegie School of Home Economics in Georgetown.

The 12-day training activity involved participants from various National HIV Treatment and Care sites in Region 4, Georgetown.

Mr Somdatt Ramessar, Manager of the National HIV Food Bank spoke to the editor of PANCAP Newsletter about the initiative.  He explained that the focus of the training was to expose the participants to healthy and safe ways to prepare foods for consumption, as well as consistent use of healthy, locally grown and inexpensive food.  He underscored the importance of participants building their skills in preparing food to maintain the nutritional value.

“Building the capacity of People Living with HIV (PLHIV) so that they can live more productive lives is the focus of the National Programme,” stated Somdatt, “hence the aim of the training activity was to build the capacity of participants so that they can contribute meaningfully to their families and be role models in their communities and resource persons within the PLHIV population”.

At the culmination of the training, participants were tasked with returning to their respective support groups and sharing the knowledge they have acquired through organized group activities.

Somdatt noted that the National Programme was particularly proud of a participant who established a local juice production business with the skills acquired from the training.

Below is an image gallery of the food products created by participants.