AIDS Response in a Conservative Settings Environment Khadija T. MOALLA I use PowerPoint to my advantage Projecting the best image Can you hear me? Can you see my slides? Are my slides also visible from the back of the room? AV-friendly meeting space WHY, HOW and WHAT WHY? AIDS is a human developmental challenge with a burden falling on the most vulnerable and least able to manage its long-term impacts. The response requires major political will and commitment from top leadership of countries The response should be: Multi-sectorial; Value based (solidarity, stewardship) Human Rights based: (Women, children, KAPs, migrants, refugees, IDPs, prisoners) Synergetic between networks. HOW? By dispelling Stigma: Stigma has to do with the way people see themselves (self-stigma), the others and the world. 2 major actors: Media & Religious Leaders? Added value of RLs as new actors in the AIDS scene: Influence how people see the world. Trusted by their constituencies. Best outreach, much bigger than most NGOs. Access to all classes of society and gender. Free to use the interpretation of Holy texts in favor of people: Faith in service of humanity. Once convinced, Men and women RLs are the best advocates for prevention, testing and treatment. Discrimination: As gate keepers, they will give the green light to legislators to stop discrimination by modifying discriminatory or enacting new laws. Advocate to stop violence against women, children and KAPs. WHAT? Spiral Dynamic Gap between the communities and the elite RL &FBOs preach/influence the communities Transformed RLs playing the locomotive role? Penal code that criminalize paid sex, same sex and drug use will need RL green light to be modified. RLs need to emphasize religious values such as solidarity and stewardship for countries to remove travel restrictions. Leadership methodology: Designing all projects using the Conscious Full Spectrum Approach. CONCLUSION RLs: special actor! Trust/trust and trust! Secular v/ religious discourse/approaches! Synergy between CSOs (NGOs/FBOs). Stigma v/Condom. Human Rights are indivisible so are people. AIDS as entry point for Human Rights. Confrontation between the secular and religious discourse doesnt serve the cause. New context: Extremist groups. Support to RLs risk takers. Empowering WRLs champion for a progressive interpretation of holy texts.