Linking sexual and reproductive health and rights with the HIV response

Using the example of Mongolia’s successful Round 7 Global Fund proposal, this briefing shows that resources can be successfully mobilised to support integrated approaches that link sexual and reproductive health and rights, and HIV (SRHR/HIV).

This briefing also shows how civil society played a key role in making this happen – in particular, the National AIDS Foundation (NAF), the partner organisation of the International HIV/ AIDS Alliance in Mongolia.

Mongolia’s final proposal for Round 7 was for US$2.9 million. It focused on scaling up universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support for vulnerable populations (such as sex workers, people living with HIV and men who have sex with men), and strengthening the health sector. The process of developing the proposal also led to a number of important lessons, as follows:

* The Global Fund can provide an opportunity to secure significant resources for integrated SRHR and HIV approaches, where impact on the HIV epidemic can be demonstrated.

* Civil society has vital and diverse roles in scaling up SRHR/HIV integration, through service provision, community mobilisation, advocacy and national decision-making.

* If civil society is to fully and effectively engage in national policy-making and advocacy processes, it needs financial and technical resources to build the full range of capacities and systems.

* There is a vital need for civil society to access independent sources of information. Resources such as the guidance on minimum requirements for the functioning of Country Coordinating Mechanisms are powerful supportive tools, presenting ‘official’ frameworks, and challenging long-held perceptions.

* Any approach to increase SRHR/HIV integration needs to be strategic and comprehensive for example, in ensuring that resources are assigned for building the capacity and sustainability of community groups, including SRHR organisations.

( source article/picture : http://www.aidsalliance.org / www.isabelperez.com )