Announcement

African Men for Sexual and Health Rights [AMSHeR], African Sex Workers Alliance [ASWA] and Gender Dynamix are organising a one and half day pre-conference prior to International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA) to exchange ideas, critically reflect and identify priority health and human rights-related issues for gay men and other men who have sex with men (MSM), transgender (TG) persons, sex workers (SW), people who use drugs (PWUD) and people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Africa.

Date and Venue: 28-29 November 2015. Crowne Plaza Hotel, Harare, Zimbabwe.

Objective:
The overall objective of the ICASA Key Populations Pre-Conference is to raise awareness on Key Populations, Human Rights and HIV as an “unfinished business” of MDG 6; bridge the knowledge gap about the health and human rights needs of Key Populations in Africa; and strengthen the engagement and capacities of stakeholders to efficiently address them in the context of the HIV response and in the process for developing the post-2015 development framework.

Expected outcomes:

Increased awareness of health and human rights-related issues affecting Key Populations living with HIV in Africa and commitment to further advance key populations, human rights and HIV in programming and various advocacy opportunities

Identification of priority needs of Key Populations to address the health and human rights needs such as safety and security of Key Populations in Africa.

Enhanced and accountable Key Populations leadership and advocacy.

Language

• All presentations and training material will be presented in English or French. A simultaneous translation will be provided to participants.

 

Eligible participants
It is envisioned that 150 participants will attend the Key Populations Pre-conference. This would include Key Population advocates and representatives, health and human rights advocates, service providers, researchers, policymakers, donors, and individuals and entities working to address the needs of key populations. Preferences will be given to participants from the African region and people living with HIV. Space is limited and efforts will be made to ensure appropriate representation from all the different key population groups.

Registration
All interested individuals and organisations are requested to fill and submit a registration form by email to icasa@amsher.org by Friday, November 13, 2015. Confirmation of acceptance will be sent by Friday, November 20, 2015.

A “meet-the-locals” networking event will be held on the evening of Saturday 28 November to facilitate networking between national and regional Key Population groups , networks from across Africa, international and donor organisations, and increase dialogue on KP issues in Zimbabwe.

For further information please contact:
AMSHER: Steave Nemande, steave@amsher.org
ASWA: Denis Nzioka, nzioka@aswaalliance.org
Gender Dynamix: Tsepho Kgositau, regional@genderdynamix.org.za