BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, May 01, 2018 - THE Pan-Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP) has concluded its Joint Regional Dialogue with an urgent call from stakeholders to create an environment that reduces discrimination against the disease which, according the organization, acts as a barrier for vulnerable groups accessing health services and hinders efforts to reduce HIV infections.
A press release issued by the CARICOM Secretariat stated that sixty delegates from fourteen Caribbean countries gathered to examine national and regional issues surrounding HIV/AIDS and goals for ending the spread of the disease by the year 2030.
In setting these goals, consideration was given to the targets established by the United Nations High Level Meeting Political Declaration June 2016 on ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals that were approved by 192 nations at the United Nations in September 2015.
Consideration was also given to the commitments made by civil society, faith-based and other implementing stakeholder groups for ending AIDS during the PANCAP consultations in 2016 and 2017.
The delegates were given the task to propose initiatives within the context of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Model Anti-Discrimination Legislation and the PANCAP Justice for all Roadmap.
Topics such as creating an enabling environment to prevent stigma and discrimination, sensitization on the CARICOM Model Anti-Discrimination Legislation, standardize HIV/AIDS education across the region and comprehensive proposal on saving costs through reducing HIV/AIDS infections.
The participants underscored the importance of removing the barrier of discrimination as critical to the region achieving the 90-90-90 Targets by 2020, and keeping on track for ending AIDS by 2030. Emphasis was placed on educating parliamentarians on the model legislation and establishing connections with the existing parliamentarian network.
“Parliamentarians committed to advancing strategic initiatives to adopt the Model Anti-Discrimination Legislation which included identifying the barriers to countries’ adoption of the Model Legislation, introducing Private Members Bill, utilizing existing Parliamentary Social Services Committees, sensitizing parliamentarians on the Bill, judicial activism and establishing a Regional Parliamentarian Network.
“National AIDS Managers, Civil Society Leaders and Youth Leaders committed to working collaboratively at the national level to advance elements of the PANCAP Justice for All (JFA) Programme, including policy advocacy for the provision of psychosocial support as part of the elements of the JFA Roadmap; addressing social protection issues including domestic violence through interagency collaboration and social determinants of health; mapping civil society service delivery; and to strategically collaborate with Live Up! The Caribbean Media Alliance.
“Faith leaders committed among others to continuing and strengthening their response to HIV; sharing best practices within the faith community; delivering education to address stigma and discrimination; highlighting the responsibilities that are associated with sex; and providing love and compassion,” the release said.
Dr. Edward Green, the PANCAP Special Advisor stressed on the importance of remaining committed to the proposed review of the PANCAP Justice for All Roadmap and to enact the proposed initiatives with the overarching aim of successfully achieving the 90-90-90 Targets by 2020, and keeping on track for ending AIDS by 2030.
“He also challenged secular and faith stakeholders to foster age-related sexual education, promote tolerance and respect and to reconcile the difference between the rule of law and theology through respectful dialogue,” the release stated.
