As majority of HIV infections being sexually transmitted or associated with childbirth, the global community has already realized the inextricable links between HIV/AIDS and sexual and reproductive health. In 2006, IPPF had emphasized the need for strengthening the interfaces between sexual and reproductive health and HIV/AIDS for achieving the Millennium Development Goals. IPPF SAR has declared the year 2007 as the Year of Integrating Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and HIV/AIDS in programs implemented by member associations (MAs). The Regional Director of IPPF SAR has already requested MAs to plan their activities based on this (For details, write to aids@ippfsar.org ).
Research Summary: Panos has published a report named ‘Keeping the Promise? A study of progress made in implementing the UNGASS Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS in seven countries’ (2006). This report contains seven studies conducted in seven countries (including Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) which reviewed the progress being made in implementing the UN General Assembly Special Session Declaration of Commitment (DoC). The report considers: national responses; service delivery, including antiretroviral therapy, care and support and services for orphans and vulnerable children; non-governmental stakeholders, including civil society, media and the private sector; and the supportive environment, encompassing laws and stigma and discrimination. The report finds that the UNGASS DoC had little practical effect on the national response to HIV and AIDS. The response in all countries, except Latvia, is largely funded by donors, leading to the perception that it is donor driven with little country ownership. Moreover, it may be difficult to sustain the current level of response when donor funding ends. Other key findings include: the need for HIV prevention approaches to be tailored to the type of epidemic; low-level and concentrated epidemics need as much political commitment as generalized epidemics; national monitoring and evaluation systems continue to be donor-focused and under-resourced; civil society organizations are providing essential services in many countries and could do more in other areas, such as monitoring and advocacy. See the full study at: http://www.panosaids.org/publications/ungass_synthesis.pdf
Resources: Emergency Contraceptive Pills: South East Asia Regional Training Manual developed by Population Council/FRONTIERS India office is now available: http://www.popcouncil.org/pdfs/frontiers/Manuals/ECP_manual.pdf.The manual was developed based on experience gained during operations research conducted in Bangladesh.
News: Abstracts are currently being accepted for the Reproductive Health 2007 to be held in September 26 - 29, 2007 in Minneapolis. Abstracts of highest quality and relevance will be accepted for oral or poster presentation and will be published in the August 2007 issue of the journal Contraception. The submission deadline is March 21, 2007 To submit your abstract, visit at: ww.arhp.org/rh2007/2007callforabstracts.cfm .
Events: International conference on Actions to Strengthen Linkages between Sexual and Reproductive Health and HIV/AIDS will be held at Mumbai, India from February 4 to 8, 2007. The conference is expected to recommend specific policy and programmatic actions that could strengthen the linkages in order to better respond to HIV/AIDS. For details:http://www.icmr.nic.in/icmrnews/HIV_Conf.pdf (Please send your feedback/information etc. to access@ippfsar.org )
IPPF SARO Team