August 2011
APA UPDATE #15 August 2011
E-NEWS AND INFORMATION ON SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND RIGHTS
FROM THE SECRETARIAT
In the run-up to the International Congress on AIDS in Asia Pacific, ICAAP10, APA has focused this issue of the Update on events at the conference being held in Busan, Republic of Korea from 26-30 August.
Women and Girls Join the Community Forum, in the run-up to ICAAP10!
Women and girls’ participation at the 10th ICAAP Community Forum is being organized by APA, along with the Asia Pacific Council of AIDS Service Organizations (APCASO), the Asian-Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women (ARROW), the New Progressives Party Sexual Politics Committee (local partner in Korea) and the International Community of Women with HIV/AIDS-Asia Pacific (ICW-AP). Join us at the Community Forum on the 25th and the morning of the 26th, August 2011 at BEXCO in Busan, Republic of Korea. For more information email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Join APA to ‘UnZip the Lips’ on Issues Facing Key Affected Women and Girls at ICAAP 10!
Key affected populations are presenting stories and realities from a women and girls’ perspective, sharing views on the extent to which women and girls’ needs and rights are being addressed in national HIV/AIDS policies and programmes. Attend the “Unzip the Lips: Meaningful participation of key affected women and girls in national HIV responses” session and listen to the voices of:
- Ms. Asha Ramiah (India), Indian Network of Positive People;
- Ms. Swikriti Rana (Nepal), YouthLEAD;
- Ms. Fatimah Abdullah (Malaysia), Asia Pacific Network of Sex Workers (TBC);
- Ms. Nidgie Tindoc (Philippines), Mindanao Advocates Association;
- Mr. Dean Lewis, Asian Network of People Who Use Drugs (Moderator)
In cooperation with Coalition of Asia Pacific Regional Networks on HIV/AIDS (7 Sisters) and regional partners, APA is organizing the Common Ground session being held on Saturday, 27 August 2011 from 16.00 – 18.00 pm at BEXCO, Glass Hall (2nd Floor) Room No.M-202-4.
Join APA to Meet the Donors and Dialogue about Mobilizing Resources for Key Affected Women and Girls, at ICAAP10!
“Money Talks” is an interactive dialogue for civil society, government officials and donors is being organized by APA, Asia Pacific Council of AIDS Service Organizations (APCASO) and International Coalition on Women Living with HIV – Asia and the Pacific (ICW-AP), focusing on resource mobilization for key affected women and girls in a concentrated epidemic. Come and meet:
- Dr. Ursula Schaefer-Preuss, Vice-President of Asian Development Bank
- Dr. Christoph Benn, Director for Partnerships and External Relations, Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria;
- Hon. John Hyde, MLA, Member for Perth, Australia;
- Ms. Shannon Kowalski, Senior Program Officer, Open Society Institute.
An exciting opportunity bringing donors and civil society together to discuss regional priorities and strategies as part of countries’ efforts to meet global commitments towards women and girls, the Common Ground session will be held Sunday, 28 August from 14.00 - 15.30 pm BEXCO, Glass Hall (2nd Floor) Room No. M-202-4.
MEMBER NEWS
AFPPD Session on Political Commitment and HIV/AIDS at ICAAP10
The Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (AFPPD) is organizing a satellite session on “Political Commitment and HIV/AIDS: What’s Next?” at ICAAP10. The session will take place 27 August from 12 -13:30, BEXCO Convention Hall 105.
ICOMP Strategic Planning for SRHR and HIV/AIDS at ICAAP10
International Council on Management of Population Program (ICOMP) is organizing a presentation on “Strategic Planning for Linked Response to Sexual and Reproductive Health and HIV/AIDS” on 27 August at 15:20-16:30 at the BEXCO Convention Hall (1st Floor) C 103 &104.
PPFK Open Forum on Incorporation of SRHR service and HIV/AIDS Care Services
Planned Population Federation of Korea (PPFK) is organizing an open forum on the incorporation of SRHR service and HIV/AIDS care services on August 29 in Busan, Republic of Korea. APA will present on the topic "How MDG5 Helps HIV/AIDS”, and the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) East & South East Asia and Oceania Region (ESEAOR) will present on Reproductive Health and HIV/AIDS service. The forum is also being partially supported through the APA Advocacy Grants program.
Congratulations to Burnet Researcher Awarded for HIV/AIDS Research
The Co-head of Burnet’s Centre for Virology, Professor Sharon Lewin, has been recognized for her contribution to research into HIV and AIDS, presented with the Fenner Award for 2011. The Fenner Award recognizes significant contribution to the vision and mission of the Institute in the areas of medical research and public health. Read more here.
PAI Discusses the Release of the PEPFAR Annual Country Operation Plan
The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) released its annual Country Operational Plan (COP) Guidance last week. According to PAI, while it does contain some positive language on the need for family planning among both HIV-positive and negative women and the importance of comprehensive “combination prevention” approaches. Nevertheless, it is disappointing that OGAC refuses to fund contraceptives despite the fact that there is no statutory prohibition preventing them from doing so. Read more here.
NEWS, RESOURCES and OPPORTUNITIES
New Sources of Aid as Developing Countries Switch from Recipients to Donors
A recent article by the Economist highlights the increasing role that developing countries are playing as donors in development aid. India’s switch from the world’s biggest recipient to donor is part of a wider change shaking up foreign aid. Read more here.
RH Blog highlights why RH Rights are Key in an Age of Environmental and Population Change
RH reality check provides news, analysis and commentary on reproductive and sexual health and justice. "Of Rights and Resilience: Why Women’s Rights are Key to Thriving in the Age of the “Black Swan”, which highlights role of RH rights, is the first in a multi-part series to examine the causes and consequences of population and environmental change from various perspectives and the policies and actions that need to be put in place. Read more here.
Comprehensive Sexuality Education Meeting Report Available
The report from the Asia Pacific Regional Consultation on Sexuality Education and Gender, with a focus on reaching Adolescent Girls, is now available. Jointly organized by UNFPA, UNESCO and UNICEF it took place 18-21 July 2011, in Bangkok, Thailand. Access the report here.
The International Museum of Women calls for Submissions on Motherhood
The International Museum of Women (IMOW) - an online social change museum that uses art and multimedia technology to connect women across the globe, spark dialogue, and inspire action- is accepting submissions for a global community project “Your Voices: on Motherhood”. IMOW wants to showcase artists, filmmakers, photographers, musicians and writers’ work addressing a topic related to motherhood. Read more here.