REGIONAL TRAINING WORKSHOP FOR NATIONAL ASSESSMENTS ON HIV/AIDS, LAW, ETHICS AND HUMAN RIGHTS TO BE HELD 7-11 NOVEMBER 2003

The Second Regional Training Workshop for National Assessments on HIV/AIDS, Law, Ethics and Human Rights takes place on 7-11 November 2003 in Georgetown, Guyana.

The workshop convened by the CARICOM-led Pan Caribbean Partnership Against HIV/AIDS (PANCAP) is part of a series of initiatives to train country research teams to undertake assessments on the effect of existing law and policy on the spread and impact of HIV/AIDS. The national assessments will focus on identifying priority areas for reform and on providing concrete recommendations for bringing discriminatory laws and social policies in line with international law and best practice.

Participants to the workshop will design a methodology for national assessments, learn how to conduct research and analysis and facilitate stakeholder consultations within their respective countries. It is expected that at the end of the workshop, participants will have a better understanding of the dynamics of HIV/AIDS at the national and regional levels as well as increased awareness of international standards and experiences related to assessments of law, policy and practice affecting the spread and impact of HIV/AIDS.

The workshop, funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) draws participation from National AIDS Programme Coordinators, members of the Legal Community, Persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs). The countries to initially benefit from this training include Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, St. Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago.

HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination continues to be a significant challenge to the progress of HIV/AIDS prevention and care programming in the Caribbean. Persons infected and affected by HIV/AIDS are routinely denied access to health care and support services, refused health insurance, evicted from their homes and jobs, and physically abused. The reduction of such expressions of stigma and discrimination is an important precursor to the attainment of health and health-seeking behaviour within the region.

At the regional level, the Law, Ethics and Human and Rights (LEHR) initiative of PANCAP complements work being done to reduce stigma and discrimination against those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. The project aims to reform law and policy in the Caribbean and to enhance the provision of legal services with a focus on anti-discrimination protection of public health and improvement of the status of women, children and marginalised populations.

The workshop gets underway at the Cara Inn with an opening ceremony at which the Hon. Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, Minister of Health, Guyana will deliver the feature address.