Background on M-Coalition
IAC Melbourne
July, 2014
HOW’S IT LIKE IN MENA An epidemiological vulnerability + + + of MSM in the
region ... prevalence of 4% to 28% in a low prevalence setting among general population(less than 1%)
But ... Very limited access to prevention and care ...
Because ... MSM in the region combine the statutory deficit: S & D
+ + +, violence, rejection, barriers to care, self-stigma, self-exclusion, ...
Very little research to document needs / realities of MSM
insufficient funds
SOLUTION Recall the link between statutory deficits and immune deficiency Change the look on MSM and strengthen the will to act
internally in associations Enhance the quality / continuity programs emphasizing the need
to enroll in a combined prevention approach that enhances both the knowledge, will and power to protect
Strengthen the knowledge of society actors to plead for better access to a combined MSM/HIV prevention
Show that it is possible to facilitate the access of MSM in combination prevention in hostile environments
Promote networking between LGBT associations HR and associations fighting against HIV
AALI SOUTAK Practical manual to assist civil society and HR defenders in the
fight against AIDS in Francophone countries of North Africa and the Middle East
Designed by MSM GF 2011
Adapted by ALCS (Morocco) through a participatory process in connection with seven other associations, ANISS, APCS (Algeria), Marsa, Helem, OSE (Lebanon), SOS peer educators (Mauritania) and ATL (Tunisia)
3 chapters and an appendix Methodological hints to learn how to advocate for access to a combined MSM HIV prevention
5 factsheets detailing how to raise funds, encourage search, improve the quality of action, fighting against the S & D and secure interventions with MSM
Educational benchmarks to facilitate adaptation, organization and facilitation of training sessions from the contents of Sections A & B
resource materials and websites for more information on the topics covered in the manual
Introducing Aali Soutak at the pre-conference MSM GF 2012. Introducing Aali Soutak in MENA, Global Village, Washington DC IAC
2012. Plenary presentation with teams from other countries at the IAS
Conference Washington DC (July 2012) Introducing Aali Soutak at the MSMGF NWZ, Washington DC (July 2012)
LOGIC BEHIND M-COALITION3 main activities have emerged from this last initiative:
Advocacy to promote research among MSM Promoting to train media and legal agents Encourage networking between organizations and
activists
"We all do a great job of advocacy now, but we are isolated. Why can not we work together more closely? We have the same context, we can share the lessons we can cooperate in research, and we can work on advocacy. Together we will be stronger and more visible at regional and international levels"
CREATING THE COALITION Over a period of one year, we remained in touch, we
met, we Skyped, we called and finally wrote the
proposal
Beirut was chosen to be the hosting city to ensure the
ease of work and the slightly higher level of sexual
freedoms in the region
THANK YOU
Saja MichaelIAC Melbourne
July, 2014
Creation of M-Coalition
Regional network of activists on HIV among gay men
and other men who have sex with men (MSM) in
Middle East and North Africa MENA
CREATING THE COALITION Under the auspices of the Arab Foundation for
Freedom and Equality (AFE) and with technical
support from MSMGF 13 militants five Arab countries -
Algeria, Lebanon, Morocco, Mauritania and Tunisia -
met in Lebanon January 2014. the meeting resulted in
the creation of the coalition whose secretariat is
located in Beirut, Lebanon
VISION & MISSION
The vision of M-Coalition is an Arab world where right to health and all other human rights of MSM are recognized, realized and protected.
The Mission of « M-Coalition » is to facilitate the access of MSM in the Arab world to, services of prevention, care, treatment and quality support through advocacy, creation of a favorable environment, capacity building and follow-up, research, exchange of good practices and coordination on a local, regional and international levels and this, by collaborating with other structures of health and human rights.
CREATING THE COALITION
Creation of M-Coalition, Jan 2014, Lebanon
GOVERNING STRUCTURE
Steering committe
e
Secretariat
Task Forces
General Members
Advisory Board
STEERING COMMITTEE Governed by 13-member steering committee of regionally
recognized advocates and HIV/AIDS professionals.
From multiple countries in the Arab region
involve MSM and MSM living with HIV at all levels of its strategy, policy development and implementation, in addition to internal governing processes.
Geographical coverage of M-Coalition in the Arab world: Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, North Sudan, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.
Governance and strategic vision meeting, Tunisia, May 2014
THANK YOU
Johnny TohmeIAC Melbourne
July, 2014
Strategic vision
The M-Coalition will work to ensure an effective response to the
rapidly escalating HIV epidemic among men who have sex with
men (MSM) in the Arab world
It strives to involve MSM and MSM living with HIV at all levels of
its strategy, policy development and implementation, and
internal governing processes
STRATEGIC VISION
OPERATING GOALS
1. Strengthened networks across the Arab region linked to each other; MSM, LGBT, HIV and Human rights
Database of regional CSOs
& stakeholders
Supporting the creation of links among
mapped stakeholders
Creating spaces for agents in regional &
international conventions
Collaboration with all major partners in the
region
OPERATING GOALS
2. Increased knowledge and data on MSM and HIV through promotion of research & its
dissemination
Building the capacities of
junior researchers
Mapping and archiving all data
Analyzing and identifying gaps
OPERATING GOALS
3. Increased investment (funding) in effective HIV prevention, care, treatment &
support programs
Fund mapping (donors, qualities)
More resources for MSM
The right people get the money
OPERATING GOALS
4. Expanded coverage of (roll out of and access to) quality HIV-related services for
MSM
Assessment on quality and
availability of services
Publishing policy briefs (how do we evaluate a good service?)
Building the capacities of
service providers
OPERATING GOALS
5. Decreased stigma, discrimination, and violence against MSM
Detecting, Archiving
and monitoring
rights violation
Evidence on relation between S&D and
HIV vulnerability
Media campaigns
Security planning
To accomplish our vision we need to make sure that:
- the MSM community is involved every step of the way
PLWHIV are involved every step of the way
Collaborate with main partners in the region:
KEY AGENTS
WHOUN agenciesRegional networksCSO (health, rights, MSM, HIV, LGBT…)Governments (league of Arab states)
THANK YOU
[email protected]@afemena.org