THE ELECTRONIC BULLETIN OF THE SWISS PLATFORM FOR HIV/AIDS AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

1. February 2011

We would like to invite you to the aidsfocus.ch conference 2011 on the topic of „HIV, sexuality and youth: Linking HIV and sexual and reproductive health and rights“, which will take place in on 7 April 2011 in Bern. It is a very recent and important topic that aidsfocus.ch takes up. The interactions between sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and HIV are widely recognized by international organisations such as UNAIDS, IPPF, WHO and SDC. Sexual and reproductive ill-health and HIV share root causes, including poverty, gender inequality, gender-based violence and the social marginalization of the most vulnerable populations.

At the local level, many NGOs already work in an integrated manner. Different models are used to support the integration of HIV and SRHR services and show benefits for health. However, in many countries, sexual and reproductive health and HIV programs still run parallel.

What are the barriers to integration? Why were HIV departments and units not linked in any way to the corresponding sexual and reproductive units? Is it a question of implementation? How can comprehensive services be made youth friendly and meet the needs of youth?

We succeeded in inviting some very exiting and competent speakers from the South and North who will share with us their experience, knowledge and reflections. Based on the experience of the partner organisations of aidsfocus.ch, and following up on discussions held at a global level, we will discuss challenges and strategies of linking HIV and reproductive health and rights in policy and practice.

We invite all partners of aidsfocus.ch and representatives of organisations working in international cooperation, HIV and AIDS to attend, as well as of any other person interested in the discussion. The conference will be held in English.

I am looking forward to meeting you in Bern on 7 April 2011!

Helena Zweifel Executive Director Medicus Mundi Switzerland Coordinator aidsfocus.ch

Information and registration:

http://www.aidsfocus.ch

This resource pack aims to build a common understanding of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and HIV linkages and provide an overview of the current status of SRH and HIV linkages among key partners. It contains useful resources for organizations advocating for this issue. These materials are generic products of the Interagency Working Group on SRH & HIV Linkages and are designed to suit a variety of audiences and purposes. As the SRH and HIV linkages agenda is a dynamic field, this pack is a living document that is meant to be modified and adapted to respond to changing needs. (2011)

http://www.srhhivlinkages.org

Many papers in the WHO bulletin Volume 87, Number 11 address the special theme of strengthening the linkages between sexual and reproductive health and HIV. “Recent increases in resources for achieving the goal of universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support have given renewed impetus to the longer-standing political commitment for achieving targets in sexual and reproductive health and rights. As a result, we see increasing optimism that progress on these interdependent goals can be achieved – particularly if they are tackled together.” (November 2009)

http://www.who.int

Strengthening the linkages between sexual and reproductive health and HIV prevention, treatment, care and support is critical to achieving the Millennium Development Goals. This systematic review of the literature on linkages between these two areas - published by WHO, UNFPA, UNAIDS, IPPF and UCSF - was conducted in order to gain a clearer understanding of the effectiveness, optimal circumstances, and best practices for strengthening such links. The findings corroborate the many benefits of linking policies, systems and services related to sexual and reproductive health and HIV. (2009)

http://www.unfpa.org

This framework proposes a set of key policy and programme actions to strengthen linkages between sexual and reproductive health and HIV/AIDS programmes. These linkages work in both directions, by integrating HIV/AIDS issues into ongoing sexual and reproductive health programmes, and conversely, sexual and reproductive health issues into HIV/AIDS programmes. This should enhance sexual and reproductive health, contribute to the reversal of the AIDS epidemic and mitigate its impact. Based on experience and programming realities, four priority areas have been identified where linkages are likely to lead to important public health benefits. (2009)

http://www.ippf.org

Partners: Afro-European Medical and Research Network, AIDS & Child, Caritas Switzerland, cinfo, CO-OPERAID, Déclaration de Berne, FEPA, Fédération Genevoise de Coopération, Gemeinschaft St. Anna-Schwestern, HEKS, IAMANEH Switzerland, INTERTEAM, Kindernothilfe Schweiz, Kwa Wazee, medico international Switzerland, mediCuba-Suisse, missio, SolidarMed, Swiss Aids Care International, Swiss Aids Federation, Missio, Mission 21, Swiss Aids Care International, Swiss Catholic Lenten Fund, Swiss MIVA, Swiss Red Cross, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Tear Fund, Terre des hommes Foundation, terre des hommes schweiz, and World Vision Switzerland.

http://www.aidsfocus.ch