Time for a real Pacific solution

Sexual minority groups from the South Pacific are learning how to advocate for greater resources in the fight against HIV, thanks to an AusAID-sponsored fellowship which has ACON playing teacher.

Members of the Pacific Sexual Diversity Network, made up of representatives from Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Samoa the Cook Islands and Vanuatu, are currently in Sydney to work with ACON to develop their advocacy abilities.

Across the world, MSM and sexual minorities are significantly more vulnerable to HIV, said PSDN secretary Ken Moala.

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 to their response to HIV in our region.

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.

ACON will work with PSDN to develop an advocacy strategy, outlining the issues faced by MSM and sexual minorities in the Pacific, which can be used to generate support from key stakeholders like governments and aid donors.