washington d.c., usa, 22-27 july 2012 jeffry p. acaba action for health initiatives (achieve), inc
TRANSCRIPT
Washington D.C., USA, 22-27 July 2012
Making Multi-Collaborative Partnerships Work and Worth it: Experience in Working
with Philippine National Police and Quezon City Police Department to
Address the Use of Condoms as Evidence of Prostitution among Sex Workers
Jeffry P. Acaba
Action for Health Initiatives (ACHIEVE), Inc.
Washington D.C., USA, 22-27 July 2012
Outline of Presentation
I. Background
II. Towards the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)
III. What have we learned?
IV. What’s next?
Washington D.C., USA, 22-27 July 2012
Background
2010: policy research to review and assess Anti-Vagrancy Act (Art. 202 or Revised Penal Code) and Anti-Trafficking Law (RA 9208) and impact on HIV efforts in Quezon City - with support from Levi Strauss Foundation
Washington D.C., USA, 22-27 July 2012
Quezon City Est. Population: 2.8M
(2010), constituting 23% of the total population of Metro Manila
Most populated city in the country
Among the highest HIV incidence in National Capital Region
Active Local AIDS Council Has a City Ordinance on
HIV/AIDS (1053) with specific provisions on entertainment establishments
Washington D.C., USA, 22-27 July 2012
Barriers in HIV programs in Quezon City
Availability of condoms in entertainment establishments is considered by law enforcers as evidence of prostitution, citing RA 9208
RA 9208 is used by law enforcers against entertainment establishments, particularly when the “women” they arrest “claim” they were trafficked
HIV peer educators and outreach workers among freelance sex workers and MSM are vulnerable to arrests, harassment and extortion under Article 202
Broad language of the law could lead to abuse in its enforcement
Washington D.C., USA, 22-27 July 2012
Forging Partnership for the Prevention of STIs and HIV and
AIDS in Quezon City
Washington D.C., USA, 22-27 July 2012
Towards the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)
Transgender women can file complaints through women’s desk
The meeting urged a drafting of the Memorandum of Agreement as suggested by the Philippine National Police’s Women’s and Children’s Department
Washington D.C., USA, 22-27 July 2012
Towards the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)
MOA meetings: from five institutions to nine in the second meeting, including the Legal Office and Women’s and Children’s Protection Center of the Philippine National Police
Washington D.C., USA, 22-27 July 2012
Towards the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)
Washington D.C., USA, 22-27 July 2012
What have we learned?
More police people to talk to, the more they become aware repetition is the mother of learning and of changing mindsets
Bureaucracy target position, not person Civil society not only as catalysts but as conveyors,
assistants, and bridges
Washington D.C., USA, 22-27 July 2012
What’s next?
ACHIEVE engaged with newly-appointed Quezon City Police Director
QC Police District Women’s Desk Chief sits at the Quezon City AIDS Council
Quezon City Legislative Department Health Council head committed to supporting HIV and human rights orientation seminars among frontline police officers in local police stations
ACHIEVE meets with Human Rights Affairs Office of Philippine National Police
Washington D.C., USA, 22-27 July 2012
MARAMING SALAMAT!(THANK YOU VERY MUCH!)