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I joined a compressive sexuality education (CSE) session organized by The Planned Parenthood Association of Thailand (PPAT) a couple of years ago. From the session, I learnt about STIs, HIV, and CSE for the first time in my life. Peer educators at the session showed a photo of venereal wart. I was shocked because it looked just like what I had. So, without any further delay, after the training, I immediately met the clinical staff at PPAT clinic in Chiang Rai for a medical check-up, which confirmed that it was real – I had venereal wart. So, I decided to receive treatment immediately! Then, after some counselling sessions, I took the HIV test as suggested. Mentally, it took a big toll on me, and then the big question popped in my mind “what if I have it”? The question was looping in my head non-stop; I would think about it first thing in the morning, multiple times during the day, and when I am trying to sleep at night. I was terrified of the answer and the possibility! The result showed I was HIV positive. It was a bumpy journey for me as I was allergic to one of the medicine of ARV medication; I thought I was going to die! So, I decided to drop that medicine with the agreement and understanding, and respect from the doctor. What seemed like a normal day yesterday immediately became the scariest day for me today. I was anxious on how many days I had left before I pass – was it only for a month? A week? Or even just a day left? Every time I thought of my condition, my palms started sweating, my body started to tremble and I would lose appetite for food. There was a time when I did not eat for two days because I was so scared of what may happen to me and not knowing that it was all in my mind. This made me realise I needed inner peace, which lead me to think of entering the monkhood. I felt that only god could help me at that stage. However, my mind changed when I started to realise minor changes in my body due to the ARV treatment I have receiving. After two months of treatment, I started to feel my body reacting to the medication and thus the increase in my body’s immunity. I grew stronger mentally, physically, and phychology. I had hope again, hope for tomorrow, for my future and hope that I was prepared to fight against HIV. HIV did change my life upside-down; HIV did change my life in ways I never imagined possible. But most of all, it showed me how strong I can be and that I won’t give up the fight! I will continue studying because I believe I still do have a bright future. I am grateful that PPAT staff stood by me through this time. All those tough experiences I lived with so far, they inspired me to work as PPAT volunteer, to share CSE knowledge; not only in terms of sexuality education but also on ending sexual exploitation and abuse. Many people fail to recognize that CSE plays an important role in ending sexual abuse, sexual harassment, marital rape, which increases women and girls vulnerability to HIV. I want to make a difference and educate others about CSE, HIV and how it can link to gender based violence. Ever since I realised how important CSE is, I am willing to give all my efforts on sharing CSE with my peers at school through group discussions and working as a service provider. I want to DEVOTE myself to the society, as an active agent for CHANGE. I PROMISE. Yours sincerely, Chi, a Thai male student living with HIV, PPAT volunteer and peer educator on CSE and the prevention of gender based violence.

Alan Smith Senior Adviser, HIV, visited a project  to improve access to integrated SRH and HIV services for factory workers. It’s run by Reproductive Health Association of Cambodia (RHAC) and funded by Japanese Trust Fund. “I visited a garment factory owned by a joint Japanese/Taiwanese company which sells jackets and trousers to Marks and Spencer, and Walmart, based in the suburbs of Phnom Penh. Wages are low in Cambodia and there is very limited tax and regulatory controls as the Cambodian Government is keen to attract foreign investment. Many Cambodians actually leave to work for higher wages in Thailand, Japan and South Korea.  The factory employs around 1,000 people nearly all young and fairly uneducated girls from the rural areas who have migrated to the capital for work. They send about 50% of their wages home to their families.  There is a small clinic in the factory staffed by a nurse, but this only offers sleeping facilities and some pills for headaches so is very basic but staffed by one nurse. On the day I was visiting, RHAC carried out a health fair to publicise vouchers and services available for the factory workers through the JTF project.  The clinic provides services for everyone but charges fees, whilst for factory workers they are free. It averages 120 patents per week, with Sunday being the busiest day as it’s the factory workers day off. After Phnom Penh, the fair tours each of the 30 factories in the project .  An audience of factory workers were entertained by a balloon game, giant condoms, and were offered various tests and information about free services and vouchers.  At the start of the health fair (which runs in the lunch break) the workers were understandably concerned about getting their lunch, but by the end of the fair there was a large attendance, including reporters from Cambodian TV.”

The Government of Solomon Islands agreed to cooperate with International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) this week to advance the work on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) across its provinces. The Prime Minister announced its commitment to improve SRHR for all by 2020 and a partnership role with IPPF. In the first of a series of meetings between Ministers and high level government officials across the Pacific and Australia this month, IPPF Director General and Acting Solomon Islands Prime Minister Hon. Manasseh Maelanga brokered a partnership which will see the Federation designated as an executing agency on behalf of the Government of the Solomon Islands to advance sexual and reproductive health and rights of all people across the provinces. IPPF Director General, Tewodros Melesse said:  “This is a great step for the Government and IPPF. Our Member Association, Solomon Islands Planned Parenthood Association, has been working diligently to improve the lives of people across the Solomon Islands through a range of much needed services. Through this extensive partnership arrangement we can take that work to the next level to improve access, increase the range and quality of Government services and integrate our expertise to better the lives of people across the Solomon Islands.  This focus will ensure services reach those who are poor, marginalized and socially excluded and wherever there is a need”. IPPF’s Member Association - Solomon Islands Planned Parenthood Association will work closely with the Government to convene meetings across provinces with national ministries, non-governmental and faith based groups and medical associations to advise and prepare a budgeted action plan to help realize sexual and reproductive health and rights for all by 2020. The cooperation will see IPPF play a large role in supporting and representing the interests of the Solomon Islands with key international multilateral and bilateral donors, including the African-Caribbean-Pacific Group of States to support the implementation of these plans, to strengthen sexual and reproductive health and rights.  

In conjunction with contractors, the Japan Trust Fund (JTF) ensured that the safety and security of construction workers building the 2nd Thailand Laos Friendship Bridge became a 24-hour concern.  On the Mekong river they say: “helmet for every site, condom for every night” Massive construction projects demand massive amounts of manpower. In both the developing and developed world, labourers are often temporary, unskilled, migrant and young, and predominantly male. Living conditions can be poor, sites isolated and workers may end up separated from home and family for months on end. Evening entertainment revolves round local bars and beer holes, and recreation is frequently a macho mix of drink and sex, driven by a ready supply of cash. Women purposefully frequent the area to sell sex, while barmaids, waiters and barstaff engage in informal sex work.  As a result, construction workers and the local community are more vulnerable to HIV. At 3 immense East Asian infrastructure developments funded by the Government of Japan, JTF backed HIV education programmes in conjunction with IPPF Member Associations in Indonesia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. Associations at each site adopted tactics and strategies to prevent and treat HIV: counselling, testing, mobile clinics, posters, leafleting, peer-education and entertainment/information evenings (“karaoke and condoms”). Every project produced measurable improvements in awareness and behaviour. At JTF’s Bridge of Hope project, for example, HIV and AIDS awareness among construction workers hit 92% (compared to the local average of 62%). This work is now feeding into a widespread international movement to establish workplace policies for HIV and AIDS. Policies which not only recognize the devastating personal impact of HIV on individuals lives, but also the financial impact of poor HIV and AIDS education on companies and whole national economies. It is a message which will take considerable time to impress upon international policy makers, but a lot less time to communicate to construction workers. As the poster says, “Helmet for every site, condom for every night”.