MSM in Pacific calls for increased support

[Foward post from Jan Wijngaarden, msm-asia, 30 October 2008]

30 October 2008

Pacific men who have sex with men need
increased government & regional institutional support -
PACIFIC SEXUAL DIVERSITY NETWORK

The Pacific Sexual Diversity Network (PSDN) today called on Pacific governments and regional institutions to address issues affecting men who have sex with men (MSM) and other vulnerable populations in the response to HIV/AIDS in the Pacific.

In order to effectively achieve this, the PSDN (which currently includes organisations from Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Cook Islands, PNG and Vanuatu) believes that organisations such as itself and other groups that represent vulnerable populations should be included as active participants in all national and regional HIV/AIDS meetings.

The PSDN, a network of sexual minority organisations in the Pacific, is currently undertaking advocacy and organisational capacity training in Sydney through the Australian Leadership Awards Fellowship program, which is funded by AusAID.

Through the program, which started this week and runs until November 7, the PSDN is working with the AIDS Council of NSW (ACON) to develop strong leadership and organisational skills, to be used to advocate for greater resources and recognition of the issue of HIV among MSM and other vulnerable populations across the Pacific.

"Across the world, MSM and sexual minorities are significantly more vulnerable to HIV. In the Pacific these groups include fa'afafine, leitis, akavaine, vakasalewalewa, mahu, raerae, palopa and takatapui. It is vital that Pacific governments and regional donors include these groups in their response to HIV in our region", said Ken Moala, Secretary of the PSDN.

He added that "legal barriers, stigma and discrimination, and gender inequality all make MSM and sexual minorities more vulnerable to HIV. For the Pacific to effectively respond to the HIV epidemic these factors must be addressed".

Despite these needs, MSM projects and organisations have little to no funding from governments or donors in the region to respond to HIV prevention and sexual health issues in their communities.

"There must be resources made available urgently to fund this work. And this requires leadership from national governments as well as donors and other institutions in the Pacific," Moala said.

As part of the ALAF program, the PSDN in partnership with ACON will be developing an advocacy strategy that will outline the range of issues facing MSM and sexual minorities in the Pacific and make recommendations to key stakeholders such as governments, regional institutions, churches, community leaders, health care workers and civil society.

For more information contact Mr Ken Moala on +0404 756 651.