Overview of the webinar series on overcoming HIV-related stigma and discrimination, HIV transmission decriminalisation as well as six areas of the Global Partnership in the EECA region

The CO “100 PERCENT LIFE” and the Global Network of People living with HIV held a series of thematic webinars that brought together activists with expertise in the decriminalization of HIV transmission and representing countries from the EECA region. The first two webinars in the series aimed to provide an overview of the objectives and tools within the Global Partnership (webinar 1) and outline key human rights challenges and led to a subsequent detailed discussion of seven key programs and six areas in the work to address stigma, discrimination, and criminalization (webinar 2). The speeches of all speakers and links to their presentations are available for download in Annex 1 of this document.

PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR PARALEGALS: Supporting People Living with HIV Affected by HIV Criminalization in the EECA Region

The purpose of this guide is to raise the legal awareness of activists from the community of people living with HIV who provide paralegal assistance to people affected by the criminalisation of HIV. This guide is also recommended for use by activists from key populations – people who use drugs, sex workers, and representatives of the LGBT community. This manual reflects the experience of the HIV-positive community members, as well as their partners and associates from across Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA), in providing direct assistance to HIV-positive people affected by discriminatory HIV-specific laws and the decriminalisation of HIV.

Role of Media in Ending Criminalisation of HIV – Media Toolkit 2021-2023

The purpose of this media toolkit is to help health journalists and advocates understand HIV criminalisation in Zimbabwe and adequately engage with the various facets of arguments and viewpoints on the subject matter. Journalists and advocates are key stakeholders in promoting public health goals and the advancement of rights and freedoms of those infected and affected by HIV.

New Tech Brief: Roadmap for Key Populations Advocates Navigating the Global Fund

This technical brief seeks to provide an overall snapshot of how the Global Fund mechanism works, to help key populations navigate the pathway to securing funding for their work. It offers toolkits, policy briefs, trainings and other materials that explain different steps of that process in more detail. It also includes case study examples of successful key population programs supported by the Global Fund, in hopes that they inspire creativity, innovation and persistence in driving this work forward.

Reducing Human Rights Related Barriers to HIV & TB Services for Key and Vulnerable Populations: Legal Support Resource

The legal support resource is part of an on -going human rights programme with the goal of reaching key and vulnerable populations by utilising customised and targeted interventions. These interventions include activities on (1) legal empowerment;(2) training of paralegals on issues related to HIV, TB and human rights; (3) legal and paralegal support to community members whose human rights have been violated including pursuing identified matters to court; and (4) sensitisation of judiciary, law makers and traditional leadership especially those involved in traditional courts.

It gives practical information on current and evolving legislation, common law and policies pertaining to HIV and TB  in South Africa. The aim is to  educate, sensitise and provide updated information to paralegal and legal practitioners alike, who are engaged in offering legal advice and services to individuals and communities who serve members of the vulnerable and key populations.

The Intersection of Syringe Use and HIV Criminalization: An Advocate’s Toolkit

This 2017 toolkit from The Center for HIV Law and Policy (CHLP) and the National LGBTQ Task Force highlights intersections between the criminalisation of injecting drug use and HIV, noting people living with HIV who inject are criminalised in multiple ways including by laws targeting sharing equipment; purchasing, possessing or distributing equipment; drug possession and use; and HIV exposure, non-disclosure and transmission. Notes repeated calls to address substance use as a public health issue, and provides tips to make advocacy more intentional, intersectional, inclusive, and effective.

Making Media Work for HIV Justice: An introduction to media engagement for advocates opposing HIV criminalisation

The purpose of this critical media toolkit is to inform and equip global grassroots advocates who are engaged in media response to HIV criminalisation–and to demystify the practice of working with, and through, media to change the conversation around criminalisation. The toolkit provides an introduction to the topic of HIV criminalisation and the importance of engagement with media to change narratives around this unjust practice.  It also features a number of case studies providing examples of how media played a significant role in the outcome, or the impetus, of HIV criminalisation advocacy. In addition, the toolkit includes reporting tips for journalists, designed to educate writers and media makers around the nuances of HIV criminalisation, and the harms of inaccurate and stigmatising coverage.

The Intersection of Sex Work and HIV Criminalization: An Advocate’s Toolkit

This 2017 toolkit from The Center for HIV Law and Policy (CHLP) and the National LGBTQ Task Force highlights intersections between the criminalisation of sex work and HIV, noting both disproportionately affect people from marginalised communities. Urges the building of stronger linkages across HIV criminalisation and sex work movements, and provides tips to make advocacy more inclusive, effective, collaborative and transformative.