Background on M-Coalition IAC Melbourne July, 2014

 An epidemiological vulnerability of MSM in the region... prevalence of 4% to 28% in a low prevalence setting among general population(less than 1%) But...  Very limited access to prevention and care... Because...  MSM in the region combine the statutory deficit: S & D + + +, violence, rejection, barriers to care, self-stigma, self-exclusion,...  Very little research to document needs / realities of MSM  insufficient funds

 Recall the link between statutory deficits and immune deficiency  Change the look on MSM and strengthen the will to act internally in associations  Enhance the quality / continuity programs emphasizing the need to enroll in a combined prevention approach that enhances both the knowledge, will and power to protect  Strengthen the knowledge of society actors to plead for better access to a combined MSM/HIV prevention  Show that it is possible to facilitate the access of MSM in combination prevention in hostile environments  Promote networking between LGBT associations HR and associations fighting against HIV

 Practical manual to assist civil society and HR defenders in the fight against AIDS in Francophone countries of North Africa and the Middle East  Designed by MSM GF 2011  Adapted by ALCS (Morocco) through a participatory process in connection with seven other associations, ANISS, APCS (Algeria), Marsa, Helem, OSE (Lebanon), SOS peer educators (Mauritania) and ATL (Tunisia)

3 chapters and an appendix Methodological hints to learn how to advocate for access to a combined MSM HIV prevention 5 factsheets detailing how to raise funds, encourage search, improve the quality of action, fighting against the S & D and secure interventions with MSM Educational benchmarks to facilitate adaptation, organization and facilitation of training sessions from the contents of Sections A & B resource materials and websites for more information on the topics covered in the manual

 Introducing Aali Soutak at the pre-conference MSM GF  Introducing Aali Soutak in MENA, Global Village, Washington DC IAC  Plenary presentation with teams from other countries at the IAS Conference Washington DC (July 2012)  Introducing Aali Soutak at the MSMGF NWZ, Washington DC (July 2012)

3 main activities have emerged from this last initiative:  Advocacy to promote research among MSM  Promoting to train media and legal agents  Encourage networking between organizations and activists "We all do a great job of advocacy now, but we are isolated. Why can not we work together more closely? We have the same context, we can share the lessons we can cooperate in research, and we can work on advocacy. Together we will be stronger and more visible at regional and international levels"

 Over a period of one year, we remained in touch, we met, we Skyped, we called and finally wrote the proposal  Beirut was chosen to be the hosting city to ensure the ease of work and the slightly higher level of sexual freedoms in the region

Saja Michael IAC Melbourne July, 2014 Creation of M-Coalition

Regional network of activists on HIV among gay men and other men who have sex with men (MSM) in Middle East and North Africa MENA

 Under the auspices of the Arab Foundation for Freedom and Equality (AFE) and with technical support from MSMGF 13 militants five Arab countries - Algeria, Lebanon, Morocco, Mauritania and Tunisia - met in Lebanon January the meeting resulted in the creation of the coalition whose secretariat is located in Beirut, Lebanon

 The vision of M-Coalition is an Arab world where right to health and all other human rights of MSM are recognized, realized and protected.  The Mission of « M-Coalition » is to facilitate the access of MSM in the Arab world to, services of prevention, care, treatment and quality support through advocacy, creation of a favorable environment, capacity building and follow-up, research, exchange of good practices and coordination on a local, regional and international levels and this, by collaborating with other structures of health and human rights.

Creation of M-Coalition, Jan 2014, Lebanon

Steering committee SecretariatTask Forces General Members Advisory Board

 Governed by 13-member steering committee of regionally recognized advocates and HIV/AIDS professionals.  From multiple countries in the Arab region  involve MSM and MSM living with HIV at all levels of its strategy, policy development and implementation, in addition to internal governing processes.  Geographical coverage of M-Coalition in the Arab world: Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, North Sudan, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

Governance and strategic vision meeting, Tunisia, May 2014

Johnny Tohme IAC Melbourne July, 2014 Strategic vision

 The M-Coalition will work to ensure an effective response to the rapidly escalating HIV epidemic among men who have sex with men (MSM) in the Arab world  It strives to involve MSM and MSM living with HIV at all levels of its strategy, policy development and implementation, and internal governing processes

1. Strengthened networks across the Arab region linked to each other; MSM, LGBT, HIV and Human rights Database of regional CSOs & stakeholders Supporting the creation of links among mapped stakeholders Creating spaces for agents in regional & international conventions Collaboration with all major partners in the region

2. Increased knowledge and data on MSM and HIV through promotion of research & its dissemination Building the capacities of junior researchers Mapping and archiving all data Analyzing and identifying gaps

3. Increased investment (funding) in effective HIV prevention, care, treatment & support programs Fund mapping (donors, qualities) More resources for MSM The right people get the money

4. Expanded coverage of (roll out of and access to) quality HIV-related services for MSM Assessment on quality and availability of services Publishing policy briefs (how do we evaluate a good service?) Building the capacities of service providers

5. Decreased stigma, discrimination, and violence against MSM Detecting, Archiving and monitoring rights violation Evidence on relation between S&D and HIV vulnerability Media campaigns Security planning

To accomplish our vision we need to make sure that:  - the MSM community is involved every step of the way  PLWHIV are involved every step of the way  Collaborate with main partners in the region: WHO UN agencies Regional networks CSO (health, rights, MSM, HIV, LGBT…) Governments (league of Arab states)