Meaningful Involvement of PLHIV
We advocate for the meaningful involvement of PLHIV and affected communities in all aspects of the HIV response.
Communities must be an integral part of what NGOs are and what we do. A genuine commitment to the involvement of PLHIV and affected communities in responding to HIV is not simply the expression of a commitment to ensure that communities have control over their own health. Rather, it acknowledges that the experience of individuals and communities is an essential ingredient in effective community response to the challenges of HIV.
MIPA is a specific expression of the right to active, free and meaningful participation. In emphasising MIPA and the right to participation, we recognise that the meaningful involvement of PLHIV and affected communities makes a powerful contribution by enabling individuals and communities to draw on their lived experiences in responding to HIV. In turn, this contributes to reducing stigma and discrimination and to increasing the effectiveness and appropriateness of the HIV response and of our own programmes.
It is important to acknowledge that many people living with and affected by HIV are actively involved in responding to the pandemic - not only within NGOs, but also as policymakers, activists, healthcare workers, educators, scientists, community leaders and public servants, to name just a few. Nonetheless, there remains a long way to go in fully realising MIPA worldwide. We have a significant role to play in advocating with governments, donors and private and public sector agencies for the meaningful involvement of PLHIV and affected communities, as well as in achieving MIPA within our own organisations.