20/02/2024 | Writer: Defne Güzel
Representatives from LGBTI+, HIV, sexual health organizations, and voluntary testing and counseling centers participated in the workshop organized by Positive Space.
Positive Space gathered with various civil society organizations on February 15-16 for a workshop. Twenty different organizations participated in the event, which focused on topics such as the challenges of Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) clinics, medication shortages among refugees, and improving inter-organizational communication.
Pink Life LGBTI+ Solidarity Association, Young LGBTI+, Red Umbrella Association, Kaos GL Association, May 17 Association, Pozitif-iz, Positive Living Association, Turkish Family Health and Planning Foundation (TAPV), Inter Solidarity, Kapsama Alanı (civil society organization working on sexual health of transgender people), Youth approaches to Health Association, Social Policy, Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation Studies Association (SPoD), Muamma LGBTI+, LambdaIstanbul, HEVI LGBTI+ and representatives from VCT clinics in Çankaya, Konak, Beşiktaş and Nilüfer attended the workshop organized by Positive Space on February 15-16, in Ankara.
The workshop, organized to address the issues and needs of HIV-positive LGBTI+s, also touched upon the problems faced by Voluntary Counseling and Testing Centers this year.
VCTs struggle with shortage of staff and tests
Voluntary Counseling and Testing Centers are experiencing challenges related to staffing and availability of tests. Representatives from these centers emphasized the need for training programs for new personnel and highlighted the importance of implementing initiatives to support the well-being of center employees as urgent recommendations.
Unregistered refugees unable to access HIV medication
During the workshop, the challenges faced by refugees in accessing medication and treatment were highlighted, including their inability to access information in their native languages.
The second day of the workshop focused on the challenges and needs of HIV-positive members of the LGBTI+ community. There was an emphasis on the need for inter-organizational communication repair processes to foster collaboration between different groups. One of the key calls made during the workshop was for HIV-focused organizations to engage in awareness-raising initiatives within the LGBTI+ community. It was also stressed that addressing the issue of public exposure of HIV-positive people within the LGBTI+ community should be a priority for LGBTI+ organizations. Participants also highlighted the importance of raising the profile of HIV-related issues within the broader human rights movement.
The workshop concluded following a session on how organizations could enhance coordination among themselves.
Translation: Selma Koçak
Tags: human rights, health, hiv
