Press Release Robert Carr Research Award

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Press Release Robert Carr Research Award RESEARCH TO INCREASE SECURITY AND SAFETY OF SEX WORKERS THE FIRST TO WIN ROBERT CARR RESEARCH AWARD For immediate release July 13, 2014 Media contact: Mary Ann Torres, Executive Director, ICASO Tel: +1 416 4196338 Email: [email protected] Toronto, Geneva, New York, Baltimore An exceptional, collaborative research project that brought together sex worker communities, sex work rights advocates, the United Nations, researchers and governments from four Asia Pacific countries was selected as the first recipient of the Robert Carr Research Award. The award was established in honor of the late Dr. Robert Carr, who tirelessly and courageously advocated for human rights as central to the response to the HIV epidemic. “Sex Work and Violence: Understanding Factors for Safety and Protection stood out as an entry because of the participation of sex workers throughout the research process; a population that is often neglected by research or difficult to reach,” said Chris Beyrer, upcoming President of the International AIDS Society (IAS) and Director of the Center for Public Health and Human Rights (CPHHR) at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The project was overseen by a regional steering committee that included the Centre for Advocacy on Stigma and Marginalisation (CASAM, SANGRAM), the Asia Pacific Network of Sex Workers, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and Partners for Prevention, which is a joint UN initiative working on gender-based violence. At country level, national working groups that included government, sex work community groups, and UNAIDS, UNFPA and UNDP, oversaw the national studies. Within each country, a National Working Group acted as a forum to bring together government, commissions, law enforcement and sex work leaders. Led by a local sex work organization and the UN country teams, the research was done in a participatory way that included sharing the initial analysis with the communities researched to ensure that their experiences were authentically reflected in the interpretations of the data. “The project truly honors Robert’s vision of bringing researchers, activists and individuals directly affected by the HIV epidemic together to advance our knowledge of the impact of human rights- based policies and practices,” said Joe Amon, of Human Rights Watch. “Robert was passionate about the need for cross-disciplinary research to inform policy and advocacy efforts in the field of HIV and projects such as this one that looks at discrimination, social rejection, violence and imprisonment, reflect his life's work and vision.” Meena Seshu, ICASO Board member and Director of SANGRAM, one of the project partners, noted that “the high and diverse number of stakeholders involved in the process also set the project apart. It embodies the spirit of collaborative work of different actors working together towards one goal: to increase the security and safety of sex workers, and to create an enabling environment that will allow them to access their rights as citizens to safe working conditions.” “Robert was a social justice and HIV activist and advocate for vulnerable communities, but he was also our friend and colleague at ICASO. It means much to see his unflagging commitment to human rights realized through this important research project. It is everything he worked towards: advocacy efforts based on research collaborations between a diverse group of stakeholders, and translating findings into tangible policy development,” said Mary Ann Torres, ICASO’s Executive Director. Robert was the Director of Advocacy at ICASO at the time of his sudden death in 2011. The selection committee, representing CPHHR, HRW, IAS and ICASO, as well as two experts involved in community-academia research collaborations, based their decision on the innovation of the research project and the high and diverse number of stakeholders involved in the process. “The committee believes that the research project has the potential to achieve a great impact by influencing policies and practices in the field and guide evidence-based programs and/or influence policies in the field of HIV to guide a human rights-based response. It paves the way as a model for similar research projects,” said Torres. The award is a joint initiative by the International Council of AIDS Service Organizations (ICASO), the International AIDS Society (IAS), Human Rights Watch (HRW) and the Johns Hopkins Center for Public Health and Human Rights (CPHHR). The winning research project, Sex Work and Violence: Understanding Factors for Safety and Protection, will be announced at the 20th International AIDS Conference in Melbourne, Australia during the Robert Carr Memorial Lecture on July 21, 2014 at 18:30. For more information, please visit www.icaso.org/robert-carr-award ICASO’s mission is to mobilize and support diverse communities for an effective response to end the AIDS pandemic (www.icaso.org) The International AIDS Society (IAS) is the world's leading independent association of HIV professionals, with over 16,000 members from more than 196 countries working at all levels of the global response to AIDS (www.iasociety.org) Human Rights Watch (HRW) is a global human rights advocacy organization, with dedicated programs on HIV/TB that include a focus on human rights issues related to populations disproportionately affected by HIV, gender inequality, sex work, refugees and migrant workers, prisoners, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities. (http://www.hrw.org/topic/health/hivtb) The Center for Public Health and Human Rights (CPHHR) at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health seeks to advance fundamental human rights through research, teaching and advocacy (http://www.jhsph.edu/research/centers-and-institutes/center-for- public-health-and-human-rights/) .
Recommended publications
  • Submission Consultation on Human Rights in the HIV Response
    Submission Consultation on Human Rights in the HIV Response: Regional and Subregional Strategies and Best Practices 12 – 13 February 2019, Geneva This submission is made on behalf of global networks of people living with HIV (GNP+), men having sex with men (MPact global for Gay men’s Health and Rights) sex workers (the Global Network of Sex Workers-led Organisations and Networks), people who use drugs (International Network of People who use drugs), and allied HIV civil society organizations (the International Council of AIDS Service Organization, Aidsfonds, the World Council of Churches-Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance and Frontline AIDS) and as part of the Free Space Process Collaborative and with the support from PITCH1 program and LM Davis, International Consultant. It relates to the Consultation on Human Rights in the HIV Response: Regional and Subregional Strategies and Best Practices.2 This submission focuses on three issues: A) how widespread and systematic discrimination in fulfilment of human rights for PLHIV and key populations undermines the expansion of Universal Health Coverage (UHC); B) human rights responsibilities of donors in "transition"; and C) the important role of UPR review for accountability in the HIV response. A) Challenges in Expanding Universal Health Coverage for Key Populations In recent years, the focus on particular diseases has been shifting towards reaching the goal of addressing all health needs under the goal of universal health coverage (UHC),3 prominently featured in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted in 2015.4 The World Health Organization (WHO) defines UHC as coverage where all people and communities can use effective preventive, curative, and other much-needed health services without exposure to financial hardship.5 States are moving to strengthen domestic health financing and to expand Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
    [Show full text]
  • HIV and the AW
    Report of the Caribbean Regional Dialogue of the Global Commission on HIV and the Law Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, 12-13 April 2011 Global Commission on HIV and the Law - Secretariat UNDP, HIV/AIDS Practice GLOBAL COMMISSION ON Bureau for Development Policy 304 East 45th Street, FF-1180, New York, NY 10017 Tel: (212) 906 6590 | Fax: (212) 906 5023 June 2012 HIV and the AW Regional Issue Briefs and video of the Caribbean Regional Dialogue are available on the Commission’s website at www.hivlawcommission.org. The content, analysis, opinions and policy recommendations contained in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations Development Programme, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/ AIDS or the Global Commission on HIV and the Law. Copyright © United Nations Development Programme 2011 UNDP Regional Centre LAC Latin America & Caribbean HIV Team UN HOUSE | Building 129, City of Knowledge | P.O. Box 0816-1914 Tel: +507 302-4717 Global Commission on HIV and the Law - Secretariat UNDP, HIV/AIDS Practice Bureau for Development Policy 304 East 45th Street, FF-1180, New York, NY 10017 Tel: (212) 906 6590 | Fax: (212) 906 5023 Design: Ian Mungall and Rodrigo Domingues. Report of the Caribbean Regional Dialogue of the Global Commission on HIV and the Law Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, 12-13 April 2011 GLOBAL COMMISSION ON HIV and the AW Contents Acknowledgements v Abbreviations vi 1. Introduction 1 1.1 The Caribbean 1 1.2 HIV in the Caribbean 1 1.3 The Regional Dialogue 3 2. Context: The legal environment, legislation & law reform 5 2.1 Morality and the law 6 2.2 The role of parliamentarians 8 Calls from civil society 8 The parliamentarian response 10 2.3 How do we win the day – The debate on achieving law reform 11 Partnership and accountability 13 Lobbying and advocacy 14 Education 14 Challenging laws based on international legal norms 14 New Thinking – Engendering a culture Of rights 15 3.
    [Show full text]
  • Human Rights and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
    Human Rights and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria MEETING REPORT March 3–4, 2011 — New York HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE GLOBAL FUND TO FIGHT AIDS, TUBERCULOSIS AND MALARIA A HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE GLOBAL FUND TO FIGHT AIDS, TUBERCULOSIS AND MALARIA B Human Rights and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria MEETING REPORT March 3–4, 2011 — New York Contents Introduction 3 Meeting Objectives and Participants 4 Strategic Conclusions and Recommendations 6 Operational Conclusions and Recommendations 8 Moving Forward 12 Annexes 13 Annex 1: 14 Strengthening the Global Fund’s Commitment to Human Rights Anand Grover, Brian Citro, Fiona Lander, and Mihir Mankad Annex 2: 25 Integrating Human Rights into the Global Fund’s Programming Michaela Clayton and Jonathan Cohen Annex 3: 33 Monitoring Human Rights in Global Fund-Supported Programs Nadia Fuleihan, Shannon Kowalski, Christine Stegling, and Andrew Tate Annex 4: 48 Strengthening Global Fund Protections Against Human Rights Abuses Daniel Wolfe and Robert Carr Annex 5: 58 Framing Human Rights Alongside Equity in the Context of the Global Fund Andy Seale HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE GLOBAL FUND TO FIGHT AIDS, TUBERCULOSIS AND MALARIA 2 Introduction On March 3–4, 2011, 42 key stakeholders comprising Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund) Secretariat staff and Board Members, technical and development partners including the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health, foundations, civil society, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) HIV Group and the Secretariat of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), met in New York to discuss how the Global Fund might best operationalize the promotion of human rights and equitable access as one of the fi ve strategic objectives of the 2012–2016 Global Fund strategy.
    [Show full text]
  • Homophobia in Jamaica Jamilah King SIT Study Abroad
    SIT Graduate Institute/SIT Study Abroad SIT Digital Collections Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection SIT Study Abroad Spring 2006 Outing the Center: Homophobia in Jamaica Jamilah King SIT Study Abroad Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcollections.sit.edu/isp_collection Part of the Gender and Sexuality Commons, and the Inequality and Stratification Commons Recommended Citation King, Jamilah, "Outing the Center: Homophobia in Jamaica" (2006). Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection. 380. https://digitalcollections.sit.edu/isp_collection/380 This Unpublished Paper is brought to you for free and open access by the SIT Study Abroad at SIT Digital Collections. It has been accepted for inclusion in Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection by an authorized administrator of SIT Digital Collections. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Outing the Center: Homophobia in Jamaica Jamilah King SIT Jamaica: Gender and Development Project Advisor: Robert Carr Academic Director: Shirley Campbell 0 1 It is not our differences that divide us, it is our inability to recognize, accept and celebrate those differences. Audre Lorde 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS: ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS………………………………………………....2 ABSTRACT……………………………………………………………...3 INTRODUCTION………………………………………………………...4 METHODOLOGY………………………………………………………..6 DEFINITIONS…………………………………………………………..8 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK/LITERATURE REVIEW…………………..10 OUTCOME HOMOSEXUALITY AS PERCIEVED CULTURAL IMPERIALISM……..22 INFLUENCE OF CHRISTIANITY………………………………….30 CLASS DIFFERENCES……………………………………………33 ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION…………………………………………..36 CONCLUSION/LIMITATIONS/RECOMMENDATION………………………44 REFERENCES…………………………………………………………..46 APPENDIX……………………………………………………………..47 3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I came to Jamaica with numerous reservations and, while I’ve faced many obstacles and challenges during my time here, I’ve been able to have the experience of a lifetime. I owe my personal transformation to those so many. Thank You Mom for your tireless support and endless sacrifice.
    [Show full text]
  • From Invisibility to Indivisibility
    ROBERT CARR CIVIL SOCIETY NETWORKS FUND. From Invisibility to Indivisibility Annual Report 2016 ROBERT CARR CIVIL SOCIETY NETWORKS FUND. From Invisibility to Indivisibility Annual Report 2016 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Author Danielle Parsons Graphic Design de Handlangers, Utrecht Photography Harm Reduction Consortium, HIV Justice Global Consortium, Sex Worker Networks Consortium, Peers to Zero, Eurasian Regional Consortium, Consortium of MSM and Transgender Networks. A sincere thanks is given to all RCNF grantees for sharing their results and photos, and answering additional questions. A special thank you to Jerushah Rangasami (Impact Consulting) for the development of the MEL framework and for the conceptualization and facilitation of the collective impact reflection process. 2 FROM INVISIBILITY TO INDIVISIBILITY ROBERT CARR CIVIL SOCIETY NETWORKS FUND. From Invisibility to Indivisibility Annual Report 2016 Table of Contents ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS .................................................................................. 4 FOREWORD .................................................................................................................... 6 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................... 7 PURPOSE OF RCNF 2016 REPORT ................................................................................ 11 CONTEXT ..................................................................................................................... 14 KEY ROLES OF NETWORKS IN THE GLOBAL
    [Show full text]
  • Sustaining the Human Rights Response To
    UNAIDS 2015 | REFERENCE SUSTAINING THE HUMAN RIGHTS RESPONSE TO HIV FUNDING LANDSCAPE AND COMMUNITY VOICES Copyright © 2015 Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) All rights reserved. The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of UNAIDS concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. UNAIDS does not warrant that the information published in this publication is complete and correct and shall not be liable for any damages incurred as a result of its use. UNAIDS / JC2769E CONTENTS Executive summary: the AIDS epidemic cannot be ended without human rights 3 Introduction 7 Human rights in the HIV response 9 Methods, scope of analysis and limitations 13 The voice of human rights implementers: experiences and insights from civil society organizations addressing human rights in the context of HIV 15 Characteristics of those who responded to the survey 15 Experience and expectations of funding for work on HIV and human rights 18 Regional differences in relation to changes in funding for HIV‑related human rights 19 Coping with diminishing budgets 20 The funding landscape for HIV and human rights: complicated terrain 22 Global funding for the response to HIV 22 Global funding for human rights 23 Funding for the human rights response to HIV: an emerging picture 25 The Global Fund 26 Donor governments 28 UN agencies 31 Private philanthropy
    [Show full text]
  • Sexualities in Conversation
    Sexualities In Conversation No. 1 Caribbean Sexualities, Part I MARCH 2008 Welcome to the first edition of Sexualities In Conversation. Rights & Regulation This bulletin kicks off a series of in the Anglo-Caribbean reports to be published about conference meetings and workshops Cave Hill, Barbados on emerging and on-going February 15-16, 2008 discussions about the construction and regulation of sexual rights and Legal challenges to sexual autonomy, the impacts identities in the global South, of sexual health work and of the HIV/AIDS including through multiple industry on sexual cultures, and transnational transnational social, economic, efforts to secure sexual rights were some of the political and cultural entanglements issues considered by nineteen participants and relationships. An important attending an inaugural workshop in Barbados. objective of this project is the Researcher-activists based in Jamaica, Trinidad engagement of conversations about and Tobago, Barbados, St. Lucia, Guyana, sexualities across academic Canada and Switzerland met in Cave Hill to disciplines—in particular, between share their experiences of working toward sexual those scholars working in the areas of rights in the region. Four objectives were set for Law and Human Rights, Culture, the event: and International Development— and between researchers, activists 1. Identify and engage key questions about how and policy-makers. sexuality rights are being framed, negotiated and Andil Gosine pursued in the Anglo-Caribbean Assistant Professor, York University [email protected]
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Report 2018
    ROBERT CARR FUND ANNUAL REPORT 2018 From invisible to indivisible For civil society networks 1 Acknowledgements Author: Danielle Parsons Graphic Design: Studio Odilo Girod Photography: sarahdona.com 2 ANNUAL REPORT 2018 Table of contents FOREWORD 4 ........................................................................................................................................... ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS 6 ........................................................................................................................................... EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 7 ........................................................................................................................................... PURPOSE OF THIS REPORT 14 About the Robert Carr Fund 15 How the Fund measures results 16 A Milestone Year 17 ............................................................................................................................................ NETWORKS STRENGTH AND INFLUENCE 19 Environment 19 Outcomes of Fund Support 21 Organizational Status and Basic Operations 21 Organizational Status by the Numbers in 2018 22 Representational and Influencing Capacity 22 Influencing Capacity by the Numbers in 2018 23 Analysis 23 ........................................................................................................................................... INFLUENCING HUMAN RIGHTS 25 Environment 25 Outcomes of Fund Support 27 Human Rights Work by the Numbers in 2018 30 Analysis 30 ..........................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Faculty of Humanities &
    CARIBBEAN INSTITUTE OF MEDIA AND COMMUNICATION (CARIMAC) Canute James, BA, PhD UWI – Director HIGHLIGHTS OF WORK IN THE DEPARTMENT he work of the department in the T2008-2009 academic year continued to be related to the reforming of its curricula at the undergraduate level, and planning for similar changes at the graduate level. The work was aimed at upgrading the skills of graduates to meet the changing needs of a dynamic media and communication industry, while equipping them with the skills for analytical, critical, and creative thinking and problem- solving skills. The undergraduate programme currently allows specialisations in six areas: Public Relations, Social Marketing, Multimedia, Radio, Television and Print and Online Journalism. Significant work has already been done to replace the current BA in Media and Communication with four offerings that will more specifically meet the current demands of media and communication. During the year the University approved two of the Institute’s new programmes: ¡ BA in Digital Media Production, and ¡ BA in Journalism The BA in Digital Media Production will be offered at the Western Jamaica Campus in the 2009/2010 academic year, and at the Mona Campus in the 2010/2011 academic year. The BA in Journalism will also be offered at Mona in 2010/2011. 28 The Institute plans to offer two other new undergraduate programmes:- ¡ BA in Integrated Marketing Communication and ¡ BA in Media and Communication Studies Work on these will be concluded in 2009/2010 when they will be submitted for approval. The Institute’s work in the past academic year to improve the quality of its graduates has been supported by efforts to improve work experience for students through its internship programme.
    [Show full text]
  • Is AIDS Activism Dead? Kaiser Family Foundation July 19, 2010
    Transcript provided by the Kaiser Family Foundation1 (Tip: Click on the binocular icon to search this document) Is AIDS Activism Dead? Kaiser Family Foundation July 19, 2010 1 The Kaiser Family Foundation makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of written transcripts, but due to the nature of transcribing recorded material and the deadlines involved, they may contain errors or incomplete content. We apologize for any inaccuracies. Is AIDS Activism Dead? 2 Kaiser Family Foundation 7/19/10 [START RECORDING] KEVIN MOODY: I apologize for the delay, we were setting this up as a talk show format to be a little bit informal, and we thought that it would be closer to you if we were in front of the table instead of hiding behind it. So we just wanted to do a few more arrangements. The format of this, as I said, is going to be a talk show, so it’s going to be informal. We won’t have formal presentations. I have a number of questions that I’ve prepared for our guests and we’ll go through those questions and then we’ll also give you an opportunity to ask questions of the guests. But before we do that, I just want to say a disclaimer. I am a pharmacist. I’m really not an activist, although at the end of the day of this session, I may actually feel like more of an activist, because I’ve been working in PLHAV activism in a professional way for probably the last five or six years. My name is Kevin Moody, I’m the International Coordinator of the Global Network of People Living with HIV and it’s a pleasure to be here today.
    [Show full text]
  • FINAL PROGRAMME Friday, 23 April 2021, from 9 A.M
    Interactive Multi-Stakeholder Hearing as part of the preparatory process for the 2021 High-level meeting on HIV/AIDS FINAL PROGRAMME Friday, 23 April 2021, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon and from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. New York time. It will be webcast live and on demand on United Nations Web TV: http://webtv.un.org/ 09:00-09:30 OPENING SEGMENT Statements by: . H.E. Mr. Volkan Bozkir, President of the General Assembly . H.E. Mr. Neville Gertze, Permanent Representative of Namibia to the UN, Co-facilitator on the preparations for the 2021 High- Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS . Ms. Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director, UNAIDS . Ms. Faith Ebere Onuh, Association of Positive Youth Living with HIV and AIDS in Nigeria, Nigeria 09:30-10:45 PANEL 1: Equitable and equal access to HIV prevention, treatment and services This panel will address HIV prevention for key populations, youth and AGYW in all their diversity; testing; treatment and care with focus on adolescents, youth and adults living with HIV, especially key populations and other priority populations; vertical transmission and pediatric service delivery for children living with HIV; quality of life and well-being, including mental health; integration of services including SRHR, TB and viral hepatitis. Moderator: . Mr. JVR Prasada Rao, former Special Envoy of the Secretary-General of the United Nations on HIV/AIDS for the Asia Pacific region (2013 to 2017), India Panelists: . Mr. Julian Boghos Kerboghossian, Global Network of People Living with HIV, Lebanon . Ms. Kholi Buthelezi, Sisonke, South Africa . Dr. Alvaro Bermejo, International Planned Parenthood Federation, United Kingdom .
    [Show full text]
  • What Funding Possible
    ROBERT CARR FUND ANNUAL REPORT 2019 Funding what’s possible For civil society networks 1 Robert Carr Fund Annual Report 2019 ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS 5 .................................................................................................................................................... FOREWORD 6 .................................................................................................................................................... EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 8 .................................................................................................................................................... INTRODUCTION 20 The 2019-2021 funding cycle 21 A fully operationalized monitoring and evaluation for learning framework 22 - A strategic plan sets out Fund priorities 23 .................................................................................................................................................... INADEQUATELY SERVED POPULATIONS AND BASELINE 24 ENVIRONMENTAL CONTEXT .................................................................................................................................................... NETWORKS STRENGTH AND INFLUENCE 29 Environment 30 - Baseline 30 - 2019 changes 30 Outcome: Institutionally stronger ISP and civil society networks and consortia 31 - Baseline and targets 31 - 2019 results 34 Outcome: Improved and sustainable advocacy capacity for ISP 36 and civil society networks and consortia - Baseline and targets 36 - 2019 results 37 ...................................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]