Representatives from different regional networks gave their opinion on the participation of key populations in the CCMs.
The Latin American and Caribbean Network of Women Sex Workers (Redtrasex), the International Community of Positive Women (ICW), the Latin American and Caribbean Network of Transgender Persons (Redlactrans), the Association of Men Having Sex with Men (ASICAL) and the Latin American and Caribbean Network of Organisations with HIV/AIDS Services (LACCASO); noted a greater participation and inclusion of diverse populations within the Country Coordinating Mechanisms.
“There are prejudices surrounding women sex workers for managing large sums of money”, complained Elena Reynaga of Redtrasex who stated that if there were actually women sex workers in the CCMs, it was because Redtrasex trained women so they could participate.
In turn, Arely Cano, Secretary General of the Latin ICW, maintained: The CCM must allow women to participate and not just by sitting quietly in a chair, but rather by allowing their voices to be heard. In addition he added that one of the challenges is also “to allow the voices of women living with HIV/AIDS to be heard in the different venues".
Marcela Romero, Regional Coordinator of the RedLacTrans, mentioned that the inclusion of the trans populations in the CCMs was an important milestone as their needs and problems are very different from the other populations. “We would like to take our rightful place in order to have access to prevention, universal access and human rights” demanded Romero.
Finally, Orlando Montoya, General Coordinator of ASICAL stated that it was “very difficult to ensure that all the needs are represented" and acknowledged that the networks are part of a very important tool".
All these testimonies are a sample of the work carried out by the networks in order to have a place in the different CCMs, although they also demonstrate that though the participation has increase, there is still not sufficient numbers to provide an effective and organised regional response to the problem of HIV/AIDS.
By Mirta Ruiz
Key Correspondent Team – Asuncion, 9/12/09
“There are prejudices surrounding women sex workers for managing large sums of money”, complained Elena Reynaga of Redtrasex who stated that if there were actually women sex workers in the CCMs, it was because Redtrasex trained women so they could participate.
In turn, Arely Cano, Secretary General of the Latin ICW, maintained: The CCM must allow women to participate and not just by sitting quietly in a chair, but rather by allowing their voices to be heard. In addition he added that one of the challenges is also “to allow the voices of women living with HIV/AIDS to be heard in the different venues".
Marcela Romero, Regional Coordinator of the RedLacTrans, mentioned that the inclusion of the trans populations in the CCMs was an important milestone as their needs and problems are very different from the other populations. “We would like to take our rightful place in order to have access to prevention, universal access and human rights” demanded Romero.
Finally, Orlando Montoya, General Coordinator of ASICAL stated that it was “very difficult to ensure that all the needs are represented" and acknowledged that the networks are part of a very important tool".
All these testimonies are a sample of the work carried out by the networks in order to have a place in the different CCMs, although they also demonstrate that though the participation has increase, there is still not sufficient numbers to provide an effective and organised regional response to the problem of HIV/AIDS.
By Mirta Ruiz
Key Correspondent Team – Asuncion, 9/12/09
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