PAFPI and ACHIEVE partnered in legal literacy training (a legal-human rights advocacy) – a milestone for equipping PAFPI-EpiC core and field staffs. A continued effort for a successful PAFPI-EpiC programs under FHI360-USAID funding.
PAFPI, in its effort to equip both core and field staff on its advocacy to fight for the rights of PLHIV, conducted an advocacy training focused on human rights on April 15-17, 2024, at Bayview Park Hotel in Ermita, Manila City. The training was attended by 32 participants PAFPI staffs, CSO and LGU representatives from Navotas, Manila, and Valenzuela sites – partner LGU sites of PAFPI-EpiC programs funded by FHI360 through USAID grant. On the last day of the training, staff and LGU representatives presented what they believed to be their best efforts in their HIV/AIDS programs, which included addressing legal advocacy specific to PLHIV human rights.
The Manila Social Hygiene Clinic is one of the most successful implementation sites for the PAFPI-EpiC program, including PLHIV human rights advocacy. PAFPI-EpiC staffs, together with LGU staffs in the social clinic, made simple and practical efforts that were achieved through the help of PAFPI-EpiC programs funded by FHI360-USAID. The staff presented their advocacy program activities, both facility-based and community-based, to the plenary:
Facility-based advocacy activities:
1. Consultation
2. Pre and Post Counselling
3. Free HIV Testing
4. Free Laboratory Tests – e.g. STI/OI, CD4 count, viral load, etc.
5. Free Dispensation of ART drugs/medicine
Community-based advocacy activities:
1. Voluntary counselling
2. Sponsor and Support LGBTQIA+ community activities e.g. free HIV screening during gay beauty pageants, etc.
3. Visit to PLHIV prison inmates through an active and close partnership with BJMP
4. Free HIV Screening, Pre and Post Counselling in Manila City establishments and schools
The advocacy program is in line with the national government’s efforts for the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS and supports the Strategic Cluster Approach to the 7th AMTP Implementation policy program of the Philippines National AIDS Council (PNAC):
1. Prevent – Education and Social Behavior Change Communication – e.g. distribution of HIV IEC materials, etc.
2. Treat – National and Local Service Delivery Network – partner CSOs help provide free HIV screening and dispensation of ART medicine
3. Protect – Human Rights and Social Protection – e.g. partner CSOs offer free legal support and advice to PLHIV for discrimination and gender violence issues, e.g. Achieve, Ideals organization
4. Strengthen and Sustain – Policies, Systems, and Financing – e.g. partner CSOs actively and continuously participate in PNAC’s program activities, e.g. HIV 101 Module creations – where participants from each partner CSO discuss relevant information that needs to be included for nationwide distribution and use as part of the *Prevent approach
The advocacy training concluded with all site participants and staff presenting their advocacy program activities. Highlights of the training included a 2-day discussion led by Mara Quesada, Executive Director of ACHIEVE, and workshop presentations by participants in the plenary. The last day of the training consisted of a full-day workshop presentation by all site participants and a Q&A session.
For any concerns and questions related to PLHIV legal and human rights and for referrals, please reach out to PAFPI at pafpiorg@gmail.com and ACHIEVE at info@achieve.org.ph.
“Be kind to one another.” – Ellen DeGeneres