 CALL FOR ONLINE COURSE APPLICATIONS Did you know that HIV criminalisation is a bad policy based on bad science? Did you know that many countries allow prosecution for acts that constitute no or very little risk by failing to recognize condom use or low viral load, or by criminalizing oral sex, or single acts of breastfeeding, biting, scratching or spitting? Would you like to participate in a free online moderated course on HIV criminalisation? Do you work with Civil Society Organisation based in Botswana, Angola, Mozambique, Malawi, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Zambia, South Africa, DRC Congo, Mauritius, Comoros, Madagascar and Seychelles? Try this!! Criminalisation of HIV transmission, exposure and non-disclosure  2022 Intake for Online Short Course on Criminalisation of HIV transmission, exposure and non-disclosure About ARASA:The AIDS and Rights Alliance for southern Africa (ARASA) was established in 2002 as a regional partnership of civil society organisations working in 18 countries in Southern and East Africa. The partnership works to promote respect for and the protection of the rights to bodily autonomy and integrity for all in order to reduce inequality, especially gender inequality and promote health, dignity and wellbeing in southern and east Africa. About the Course: The short online course on Criminalisation of HIV non-disclosure, exposure and transmission is offered to interested individuals from East and Southern Africa. The aim of this online course is to increase awareness on the harmful impact of policies that criminalise HIV in order to strengthen advocacy in this area. This online course is funded by Robert Carr Fund through the HIV Justice World Wide Consortium Why a course on Criminalisation of HIV transmission, exposure and non-disclosure The Criminalisation of HIV non-disclosure, exposure and transmission, often referred to as ‘HIV Criminalisation’, is the unjust application of criminal law based solely on HIV status – either by enacting and applying HIV-specific criminal laws, or by applying general criminal laws exclusively or disproportionately against people with HIV. Criminalising people based on their HIV status undermines public health efforts to control the epidemic and violates the human rights of the individuals who are persecuted by the law. There is also no evidence that applying the criminal law to HIV has reduced or led to better control of the epidemic. The resultant impact of these approaches is generally negative, promoting fear and HIV related stigma. These often adversely affect the relationships between patients and health-care providers, and can discourage people from seeking HIV testing and treatment. According to the HIV Justice Network HIV criminalisation “is a pervasive illustration of how state-sponsored stigma and discrimination works against a marginalised group of people with immutable characteristics.” In addition to being a human rights violation of global concern, HIV criminalisation is a barrier to universal access to HIV prevention, testing, treatment and care. The HIV Justice Network audit report (Advancing HIV Justice 3) found that a total of 75 countries (103 jurisdictions) have laws that are HIV-specific or specify HIV as a disease covered by the law. As of 31st December 2018, 29 countries had ever applied HIV-specific laws, 37 countries had ever applied general criminal or similar laws, and six countries had ever applied both types of laws. ARASA recognises the need to scale-up information sharing and sustain civil society capacity for advocacy for rights-based approaches and holding governments accountable for human rights violations. ARASA believes that this goal can be attained through training and strengthening the capacity of civil society, key influencers, legal practitioners, law makers, health care workers and providers as well both duty and moral bearers. About the course moderator: Michaela Clayton is a health and human rights lawyer who has worked in the field of HIV, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), genderand human rights since 1989 in 18 countries in eastern and southern Africa (ESA) and internationally. She was a long-standing member of the UNAIDS Human Rights Reference Group of which she was also the co-chair from 2011 until February 2021. She is also a member of the of the HIV Justice Network Global Advisory Panel. Ms Clayton established the AIDS and Rights Alliance for Southern Africa (ARASA), a regional partnership of over 100 civil society and community based and led organisations working together to promote a human rights-based response to HIV and SRH in 18 countries in ESA and served as Director of the organisation from its inception in 2003 until December 2019. She has worked as an independent consultant on health and human rights since stepping down as Director of ARASA at the end of December 2019. As a consultant she has undertaken work for a variety of clients including UNAIDS and the Global Fund. She currently serves as a Senior Technical Advisor on Human Rights and Gender for the Global Fund. Participants on this online course will; Learn how to identify harmful HIV laws, including cases which have been recorded showing the impact of laws which criminalise people living with HIV. Be guided through strategies to advocate against HIV criminalisation. Network with other civil society organisations and develop strategies to advocate for removal of bad laws which harm people living with HIV. Receive a certificate of participation after completing all course assignments, quizzes and virtual contact sessions How to Apply: Kindly click or copy and paste the link for application form below to apply for the course: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1UKmX3_NQqR6zzpO4aLSFy1jYhU30yVgfK873L13RLOs/edit For any questions, please write to Bruce Tushabe at bruce@arasa.info and copy communications@arasa.info Deadline: All applications must be received by no later than close of business 8 April 2022. Kindly note that applications received after the deadline will not be considered. Successful applicants will be notified by 11 April 2022 The course will start on 25 April 2022 and end on 20 May 2022. |
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