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Gay News: More than 90 percent of gay men in the Asia Pacific region have no access to HIV prevention and care services.
By: Nigel Robinson
UNDP: "alarming levels"
UNDP: "alarming levels"
No HIV services for 90 percent of gay men in Asia Pacific
More than 90 percent of gay men in the Asia Pacific region have no access to HIV prevention and care services.
This is the conclusion of a study conducted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) which was released yesterday 17 May to mark the International Day Against Homophobia.
The levels of the disease, which are described as “alarming levels” are further exacerbated by the discriminatory laws in many of these countries.
Nineteen of the 48 countries covered in the survey criminalise gay sex, often leading to abuse and human rights violation.
Even in those countries where gay sex is not actually illegal, other legislation can impede gay human rights, thereby blocking the way to appropriate HIV prevention and care.
The report determined that law enforcement often lagged behind national HIV policies, and argued for greater coordination between health and justice sectors within government.
In a statement, Mandeep Dhaliwal of the UNDP said:
"The effectiveness of the HIV response will depend not just on the sustained scale up of HIV prevention, treatment and care, but on whether the legal and social environment support or hinder programmes for those who are most vulnerable.”
Michael Kirby, a member of the panel conducting the study, said
“A strategy of comprehensive, rights-based HIV prevention requires bold and effective legal and policy measures to reach out to vulnerable communities and individuals at risk.
