Global Aids Programme

Panos

Southern Africa

Eastern Africa

West Africa

Jamaican sex workers’ voices may inform policy

By documenting the views of local sex workers Panos hopes to enhance public discussion and policy debate around sex work, especially as it relates to the national response to HIV and AIDS.

The testimonies provide first hand information from 16 Jamaican sex workers on five major areas - reasons for entry into sex work, working conditions, health and safer sex issues, legalisation of sex work and gender issues.

Youths empowered to tackle sexual reproductive health

The Photo Voice project is part of the Panos Global AIDS Programme's “Reaching the Unreached“ initiative, implemented in Zambia (in collaboration with Africa Directions) and other countries like Kenya, Pakistan and Haiti. On November 26, the two organisations jointly held an exhibition at Lusaka’s Mutendere compound where the youths’ stories on Sexual and Reproductive Health were exhibited.

‘Reaching the Unreached’ through Radio

‘Reaching the Unreached’ is a year-long project in which Panos has been training 25 out-of-school girls in Karachi to produce 8-12 episodes of a radio programme on issues of concern to women and girls of the community. The programme, with a focus on reproductive health, will be broadcast on a local FM radio station.

Addressing myths and misconceptions, a must

Policies on multiple concurrent partnerships (MCP) and medical male circumcision (MMC) directed at HIV prevention must first address myths and misconceptions, say the findings of a pilot research project in Uganda carried out by Panos Eastern Africa. MCP and MMC programmes must be complemented by communication that addresses the social drivers of HIV and promote community-generated dialogue aimed at shaping social attitudes towards both issues.

Media responsibility missing in MSM reports

An analysis of print media in Senegal during 2008-2009, coordinated by Panos Institute West Africa, revealed prejudice in the handling of homosexuality and ignorance concerning the human rights aspects of HIV/AIDS. The study suggests that debates on media responsibility in dealing with homosexuality in Senegal and in Africa could be useful.