Inadequate MSM and Trans Communities Engagement in HIV Decision-making: Measuring Participation Levels in Eastern Europe and Central Asia – Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Ukraine and Tajikistan

Eurasian Coalition on Male Health (ECOM) initiated a project in Eastern Europe and Central Asia countries to scale-up responses to growing HIV epidemics among MSM/trans people through advocacy, fundraising and empowered community engagement in policies and service provision. ECOM conducted an assessment of gay/bisexual/trans (GBT) community development; levels of epidemics and services available; recognition of MSM/trans people in national HIV policies; involvement of GBT leaders and MSM/trans service organizations in national HIV program governance; domestic investments in HIV services for MSM/trans people.

Data, according to the study protocol and scoring tools, were collected through literature review and semi-structured interviews with representatives of GBT/MSM groups, service organizations and other national and international stakeholders.

The scoring shows, that the involvement of MSM and trans people in HIV decision-making processes ranges from 29% (Belarus and Tajikistan) to 73% (Ukraine), with the majority of countries falling below 50%. While all the countries indicate MSM as key population in HIV policy documents, services are funded predominantly by the Global Fund. Trans people are recognized as a key population only in Kyrgyzstan; there is absolute lack of data on them across the countries. Constant turnover of GBT leadership is observed across the countries.

Regional and country-specific recommendations were produced. The major recommendations are: 1) to increase community representation in decision-making bodies and national research, related to HIV response; 2) to develop national standards of providing HIV related services for key populations; 3) to provide extensive technical support to national MSM and trans community organizations to empower local leadership.

The assessment showed insufficient levels of MSM and trans communities engagement in HIV decision-making processes in all countries under study. The assessment can serve as a powerful tool for measuring the progress of institutionalization and quality control of HIV services for MSM/trans people.

Authors: S. Chikhladze, V. Djuma, M. Kasianchuk, S. Orbelyan, R. Stuikyte, S. Sheremet