(Monday, September 7th, 2015)–Last week, MSMGF submitted comments to UNAIDS Draft Strategy for 2016-2021. Although we stand by UNAIDS’ call to fast-track the HIV response, we were disappointed with the draft’s timidity concerning men who have sex with men and other key populations. MSMGF encourages UNAIDS to be bolder in its call for unfettered HIV treatment on demand immediately after diagnosis. UNAIDS should also be unwavering in its call to decriminalize homosexuality, sex work and drug use as integral to a fast-tracked HIV response.
Some of our recommendations include:
- Elevating men who have sex with men, sex workers, transgender women, and injecting drug users more explicitly and more evenly across the stated goals and proposed strategies;
- Calling for initiation of HIV treatment upon diagnosis and upon demand for all people;
- Urging governments to modernize diagnostics, including point- of-care technologies for all people;
- Investing in community-led efforts and promoting more global alignment across the UN family, in close partnership with the Global Fund and major bilateral agencies;
- Leading efforts to decriminalize homosexuality, sex work, and injection drug use;
Read the complete MSMGF statement here.
Reference the UNAIDS Strategy Draft for 2016—2021 here.
About MSMGF: MSMGF has worked since its founding in 2006 to encourage targeted, tailored, better-resourced, and rights-based sexual health services for gay men and other men who have sex with men (MSM) worldwide, through its advocacy and technical support work. As a global network, MSMGF has successfully influenced HIV responses at the local level through shifts in global- level policies and has effectively utilized public health as an entry point for advancing the human rights of LGBT people. MSMGF currently supports programs in 15 countries.
