1. 5 th
Sahara Conference
Skills Building Workshop sponsored by
the UNDP, 30 November 2009
Developing an evidence base on the vulnerabilities of
MSM & Gays in ESA: RESEARCH IN THE SERVICE OF
ADVOCACY FOR HIV & AIDS POLICY AND PROGRAMMING
Vasu Reddy (Human Sciences Research Council), Ian Swartz
(Open Society Institute of Southern Africa), Theo Sandfort
(Columbia University, New York)

2. Aim
• To outline a brief
context and process
involved in this
project and why we
are all here

3. Some Context: Silence to Action?
• Contexts of criminalisation,
social, political, religious
and cultural homophobia
• Responses to MSM in
National Strategic Plans of
Countries
• Lack of appropriate
programming and
interventions for MSM
• Lack of appropriate
advocacy for MSM
• How to draw on
communities of practice

4. WE ARE ALL STAKEHOLDERS …
Policy makers
Researchers
Programmers
Community in general
Health care workers
LGBTi communities
Same-sex Sexuality Practicing People

5. STUDY OF MSM WITHIN HIV & AIDS DEVELOPMENT POLICY
AND PROGRAMMING IN EASTERN AND SOUTHERN AFRICA
Purpose: • To identify barriers to
To increase attention for MSM expression of male same-sex
in HIV programming and sexuality and social
promote more effective HIV organisation of MSM
outcomes among MSM in
Eastern & Southern Africa Components:
To study impact of HIV & AIDS • Desktop study (review of
on MSM and their communities scientific literature, reports) in
To examine needs of MSM in comparative focus
terms of HIV prevention, AIDS • Focus Group Meetings
care and treatment (Southern & Eastern Africa)
• International Dialogue
(Activists, Researcher, Policy
Makers) to determine future
action

6. Overall Study directed towards:
• Encouraging accelerated quality prevention
and HIV and health care delivery for MSM
• Influencing and affecting HIV, AIDS and rights
based policies relevant to MSM
• Strengthen capacity of communities and
community building

7. DESKTOP STUDY
Access to prevention, care, treatment and service
delivery in respect of HIV/AIDS and sexual health
Marginalisation
Case study of initiatives and organisations in the area
of MSM in focus countries
Sexual rights and citizenship
Community building
Broader health (including mental well-being)

8. FOCUS GROUP CONSULTATIONS: Southern
& Eastern Africa
By May 2009 (meeting of LGBTI/sexual minority
organisations)
Identify structural and cultural barriers AND
strategies for adequate HIV prevention, treatment
and care for MSM
Identify needs of MSM communities
To discuss outline report of a desktop study

9. INTERNATIONAL DIALOGUE
• To engage stakeholders on identified trends in new
and ongoing studies on HIV and AIDS (prevention,
treatment and care)
• To explore challenges to HIV and AIDS prevention,
advocacy, and research at MSM in Eastern and
Southern Africa and develop potential solutions and
strategies
• To work towards the establishment of a continental
network for information dissemination and exchange
of ideas related to research and advocacy in the area
of MSM
• Identify some strategies in a broad way for
interventions at SADC/EAC

10. PROCESS
Participatory, open, consultative and inclusive
Interactive
We are all learners and stakeholders in this
process