Stefan Baral

This session highlighted the (lack of) inclusion of communities in HIV National Strategic Plans (NSPs). Speakers analyzed country policies from multiple continents to track inclusion of trans people, people who use drugs, people with disabilities, women and girls. This session was Rapporteured by Kalai Willis (she/her) and Will Cole (he/they).

Ms. Castellanos (Director of Community Programs, GATE) presented an analysis of national HIV strategic plans in 16 high prevalence countries in East and Southern Africa. While a handful of NSPs mentioned trans people, zero included them in monitoring and evaluation targets or budgets. “Trans communities should be consulted and engaged throughout,” Castellanos asserted. Ms. Rousso (LANPUD, Argentina) presented an 11-country analysis on inclusion of PWUD in NSPs in Latin America and the Caribbean. None of the countries included PWUD nor harm reduction programming. She cited stigma, discrimination, and criminalization as reasons, and called for inclusion of PWUD in developing future plans. Abdulmumin Ibrahim (Slum and Rural Health Initiative Network) passionately addressed the timely need for disability inclusion in the NSP, quoting Curt Armstrong, “There is no greater disability in the society than the inability to see a person as more.” Abdulmumin provided that people living with disabilities are not included in Nigeria’s NSP, signalling that inclusion during the current revision period serves as a prime opportunity. Sita Banjade Shahi (ICWAP) addressed the roles, lessons learned, and recommendations from the accountability and advisory group (TAAG), summarized as follows: promote inclusivity, diversity, and meaningful engagement among key informants.

This session on community inclusion showcased the near total exclusion of trans people of all genders, PWUD, and people with disabilities in NSPs. While the session demonstrated growing inclusion of women and girls in polices regarding violence against them, there was a rightful call for an intersectional view of women who are also KPs (e.g., trans women, WWUD, women with disabilities). The sentiment: We must together tend to the fertile ground that sprouts and blooms fruitful conversations supporting inclusion, diversity and policy development. As Erika Castellanos boldly recounted, “without us, those good intentions can be damaging for our community.”