A meeting of the Provincial AIDS Network on Friday conducted a comprehensive review of the Charter of Demands (CoD) prepared by women’s rights and advocacy organization Da Hawwa Lur, calling for strengthened HIV/AIDS prevention and response measures to improve the health and well-being of local communities, particularly marginalized groups, including the transgender community.
Provincial AIDS Network reviews Charter of Demands to strengthen HIV response for transgender
PESHAWAR, Jul 03 (APP): A meeting of the Provincial AIDS Network on Friday conducted a comprehensive review of the Charter of Demands (CoD) prepared by women’s rights and advocacy organization Da Hawwa Lur, calling for strengthened HIV/AIDS prevention and response measures to improve the health and well-being of local communities, particularly marginalized groups, including the transgender community.
The meeting, chaired by CEO Da Hawwa Lur, Madam Khurshid Bano was informed that following its approval, the Charter of Demands would be submitted to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly’s Standing Committee on Health for consideration and incorporation into provincial health policies to ensure inclusive healthcare for all segments of society.
Welcoming the participants, Programme Director Da Hawwa Lur, Shawana Shah said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been significantly affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic due to low public awareness, inadequate healthcare facilities and persistent stigma and discrimination.
She stressed that targeted policies and programmes are essential to improve prevention, treatment, and the overall health and well-being of populations at greater risk of HIV infection.
Coordinator National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR), Rizwan Shah informed participants that a welfare policy for the transgender community in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was in the final stages of approval after receiving clearance from the Law Department.
He said the proposed Charter of Demands would complement government efforts by strengthening health services for HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, particularly for the transgender community, which remains among the most vulnerable groups.
Rizwan Shah also informed the meeting that the provincial government had earmarked Rs100 million for the welfare of transgender community.
He said the registration process with the Social Welfare Department had been simplified, resulting in an increase in the number of registered transgender persons in KP from 420 to around 1,200 within few months.
He explained that registration with the department is essential for transgender persons to benefit from government welfare schemes and healthcare services.
He further said the government was implementing five percent job quota for transgender persons to provide sustainable livelihood opportunities, adding that after the appointment of two transgender employees, around 16 more recruitments were expected in the near future.
Earlier, Ms Aleena of Da Hawwa Lur presented Charter of Demands and outlined its key recommendations.
She said the foremost recommendation was the launch of a comprehensive public awareness and education programme, noting that a large segment of the population in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remains inadequately informed about HIV/AIDS.
Citing a survey conducted by the KP AIDS Control Programme, she said nearly 70 percent of respondents lacked basic knowledge about HIV transmission, contributing to high-risk behaviours, including unsafe sexual practices and injecting drug use.
The Charter also recommends regular sensitization and capacity-building of healthcare professionals to ensure respectful, confidential, and non-discriminatory treatment of people living with HIV/AIDS.
Representative of Association of People Living with HIV (APLHIV) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Nayyar Mujeeb, highlighted the barriers faced by patients in accessing healthcare because of stigma and discrimination associated with the disease.
Coordinator of the HIV Testing Centre at Hayatabad Medical Complex, Shabir Ahmad, informed the participants that around 10,000 people living with HIV had been registered in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and were receiving free antiretroviral therapy (ART) through 13 treatment centres operating across the province.
Transgender rights activist and Executive Director of Manzil Foundation, Madam Arzoo Khan, emphasized the need to expand awareness campaigns and ensure strict confidentiality of HIV-positive transgender patients.
She said maintaining the privacy and identity of transgender persons seeking HIV testing and treatment was essential to building trust and encouraging more people to access healthcare services without fear of stigma or discrimination.
The meeting concluded with a consensus that effective HIV/AIDS prevention and control require coordinated efforts by government institutions, civil society organizations, healthcare providers and community representatives.
Participants emphasized that implementing the Charter of Demands would help strengthen inclusive health policies, reduce stigma and discrimination, improve access to quality prevention, testing, treatment and support services for vulnerable populations across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
