Organizing advocacy for vulnerable groups and sexual minorities (2009 to present)

Working on promoting greater tolerance and support for sexual minorities and other groups vulnerable to HIV infection, ACI facilitated completion of a strategic framework for advocacy and communication by a group of international agencies, government services and civil society organizations. The group also received a representative of Human Rights Watch to discuss their recent publication on the mistreatment of Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) in Senegal. A particularly interesting facet of the advocacy program has been the organization of departmental workshops with religious leaders, local press and health officials to reduce stigma and discrimination against PLWHA, sex workers and sexual minorities in order to protect their human rights and ensure access to prevention and care services. This activity is supported by Family Health International and USAID.

More Examples of ACI Advocacy activities

Following are examples of advocacy and policy initiatives designed and implemented by ACI from the present back to the mid-nineties. These activities have involved Senegalese religious and political leaders, professional communicators and private sector organizations.

ACI organized a series of discussions, hearings, workshops  and events as a support to advocacy activities within the 2000-2006 FHI AIDS project, funded by USAID and under AJWS funding through 2011. Examples include:

• Hearings before the Health and Population Network of Senegal's National Assembly, working with the National AIDS Control Program and HIV/AIDS organizations, as well as journalists and editors (2003)
• An HIV/AIDS and Development workshop for 15 representatives of theater groups working with AIDS and reproductive health subjects in July 2001
• An AIDS awareness-raising breakfast with 30 representatives of private sector and international agencies in February 2002
• A series of HIV awareness training programs for the entire staff of TOTAL and BICIS (2003 to 2011)
• Hearings before the Health and Population Network of Senegal's National Assembly, working with the National AIDS Control Program and HIV/AIDS organizations, as well as journalists and editors (2003)
• An AIDS awareness-raising breakfast with 30 representatives of private sector and international agencies in February 2002 and a series of training programs for the entire staff of TOTAL and BICIS
• The design and organization of a series of innovative "espaces de dialogue" or discussion groups for doctors from Senegal's AMES (Association of Private Enterprise Physicians) on the development of HIV/AIDS programs in the private sector and a daylong awareness-raising exercise for the Association of Family Enterprises in Senegal (APEFA). (2003-2004)
• AIDS Information Days for the Senegalese Parliament July, 1996 and 2003
  ACI designed and conducted the first 2-day AIDS information session for Senegalese parliamentary leaders, in collaboration with AIDSCAP and the National AIDS Committee. ACI was again called upon to assist the National Assembly in the organization of a second such event in 2003.
• An HIV/AIDS and Development workshop for 15 representatives of theater groups working with AIDS and reproductive health subjects in July 2001
• USAID-sponsored AIDSCAP regional seminars January 1995 through August 1996
  ACI organized six four-day programs in four regions of Senegal (Thiès, Kaolack, Ziguinchor, and three in Dakar) to facilitate policy dialogue among approximately 270 opinion leaders in collaboration with the National AIDS Committee. Participants included religious and political leaders, youth and women's leaders, educators and union representatives.
• Assistance to the Moslem group Jamra and to the Catholic Association SIDA Service in the organization of two major events for religious leaders: the AIDS and Islam Conference held in March 1995 and the Seminar on the Response of the Christian Churches to AIDS held in January 1996.