Discrimination based on HIV status, sexuality and gender identity is damaging and a major contributor to the silence in some parts of the Pacific around the sexuality of men who have sex with other men (MSM) and Transgender People, and the correlating HIV risk behaviour.

The NZAF is working on a three year programme of capacity building work focused on improving the sexual health and well-being and human rights of Pacific men who have sex with men (MSM) and reducing stigma and discrimination against MSM in the Pacific.  NZAF has been funded by the Pacific Islands HIV and STI Response Fund, administered by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC). 

The project started in October 2009 and is a partnership between the NZAF and the Samoa AIDS Foundation (SAF); Tonga Leitis’ Association (TLA); and the Pacific Sexual Diversity Network (PSDN). 

 
Tonga
The partnership between the NZAF and the Tonga Leitis’ Association (TLA) is focused on increasing the capacity of the TLA to improve access to sexual health services for MSM and Leitis in Tonga and support TLA’s work to improve human rights of MSM in Tonga.  Key areas of work include:

• Providing assistance to develop a five year strategic plan
• On-going operational planning
• Providing technical support to TLA members to access funding and generate income to implement the strategic plan
• Increasing access to HIV testing access for MSM and Leitis in Tonga.

Download the TLA Strategic Plan 2010-2015 here

NZAF worked in Tonga with the TLA between April and July 2010 to develop the first TLA strategic plan.  Hon Lupe’uluiva Frederica Tuita, daughter of Her Royal Highness Princess Salote Mafile’o Pilolevu Tuita will launch the new TLA strategic plan at the final night of the Miss Galaxy Queen Pageant on Friday 9th July 2010. 

Samoa
The partnership between the NZAF and the Samoa AIDS Foundation (SAF) is focused on strengthening the capacity of SAF to increase access to sexual health services for MSM and Transgender People in Samoa and to develop infrastructure of organisations committed to the health and rights of MSM and Transgender People in Samoa.  Key areas of work include:

• Providing social marketing in-country training and support to increase access to SAF sexual health services
• Providing training with peer educators focused on strategies to increase sexual health practices and increasing access to sexual health services
• Providing advocacy and human rights technical assistance to key organisations working with MSM in Samoa.

 
Pacific Sexual Diversity Network
The partnership between the NZAF and the Pacific Sexual Diversity Network (PSDN) is focused on the provision of advocacy and human rights technical assistance to advance the rights of key organisations working with MSM and Transgender People and specific capacity building with the Pacific Sexual Diversity Network (PSDN).  Key areas of work include:

• Work with PSDN to establish a plan for implementation of the new PSDN Strategic Plan
• Work with PSDN members  to develop best model for the PSDN secretariat function and provide infrastructure support for the implementation of that model
• Work with PSDN to develop a simple plan for achievable activities to advance key issues identified in the PSDN Advocacy Report, for example increasing MSM and Transgender representation on National AIDS Councils