Peter Wiessner

Political resistance to address the needs of key and vulnerable populations creates a range of barriers, from access to information, to other services for prevention and care. The session reviewed underlying political and structural causes for the shortfalls and explored ways to advocate for sensible legislation.

Outside Africa, 74% of new infections take place among key populations (KPs), in some regions this number reaches 97%. Across the world, KPs are underserved and underfunded. A positive move was presented from Macedonia where strong advocacy led by KPs and civil society, led to introducing social contracting for government to fund community-based services. Beside underfunding, we have to challenge the policies of intolerance and those who use those policies for their profit - the industries and populist politicians. For “othering” of our communities, these politicians pretend to use the core principles everyone agrees upon: freedom of choice, speech, human rights and dignity. Unless certain groups become visible, public health needs and human rights challenges will continue to paramount. We have to create safe spaces, even for something that is prohibited by law, to reduce harm and save lives.

The acknowledgement of needs of KPs and resource allocation is a political question, strategies to change the situation remains unclear. Current political shifts to the far right are threatening democracy and HIV responses. It remains to be discussed how to successfully challenge this political climate, which often is based not on ignorance but on will. Space to discuss the way forward, to listen and to learn from one another is needed.