www.aids2014.org

Negotiating Religious Barriers to Mobilizing and Building Capacity of Key populations (KP) for HIV Prevention in

Sub-Saharan Africa

Facilitator: Justus Aungo, PhD.

Co-Facilitators: Zebedee Mkala and Carlos Laudari

Pathfinder International

WEWS10

www.aids2014.org

Session 4:

BUILDING BRIDGESby Zebedee Mkalla

Sharing what is working in Kenya

www.aids2014.org

Public meeting and sharing sessions

www.aids2014.org

Case study of Kenyan Coast• Challenge to prevention: Religious demonstration

against meeting on KPs;• Action Taken: Multi-level stakeholder engagement

through TWG and community mobilization• Key strategy: framing KP access to prevention

service as health right; prevention for all; and religious obligation ‘as thy brother’s keeper’; .

• Result: increased service provision to KP; and KP participation and ownership of prevention initiatives.

www.aids2014.org

DISCUSSION HIGHLIGHTS:

a. Mobilizing public involvement

b. Establishment of technical working groups

c. Media involvement and publicity

d. State and local administration buy-in and involvement

e. Integrated service provision- each service provider finding niche

f. KP-led advocacy for involvement

www.aids2014.org

Summary

• Whereas programming interests may mainly focus on the provision of services to KAP; an enabling environment is extremely essential.

• This can be assured by leadership by government agencies through TWG’S to ensure that there are requisite policies, guidelines and direction for implementation of sound interventions.