‘SWIT’ – Implementing Comprehensive HIV/STI Programs with Sex Workers

'SWIT' - Implementing Comprehensive HIV/STI Programs with Sex Workers
This tool, commonly abbreviated as ‘SWIT,’ is the product of collaboration among sex workers, service providers, researchers, government officials, and NGOs from around the world. Its development was guided by WHO, UNFPA, UNAIDS, NSWP, the World Bank, and development partners from the US, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The purpose of this tool is to describe approaches and principles to building programmes. Guidance is provided on how to implement the recommended health-care interventions for HIV prevention, treatment and care, how to manage programmes, and how to build the capacity of sex worker organizations. Throughout the document are case examples from programmes around the world, highlighting specific aspects related to sex worker programming that have worked well in their contexts. These case examples illustrate how an issue or challenge has been addressed, and to inspire ideas about approaches that could work in the reader’s own context. The summary (policy brief) is also available.
Year of publication: 
2013

Prevention and Treatment of HIV and Other Sexually Transmitted Infections among Men Who Have Sex with Men and Transgender People

Prevention and Treatment of HIV and Other Sexually Transmitted Infections among Men Who Have Sex with Men and Transgender People
These guidelines include evidence-based recommendations, the summary and grading of evidence, implementation issues, and key research gaps. The document presents good practice recommendations that focus on ensuring an enabling environment for the recognition and protection of the human rights of MSM and transgender people.
Year of publication: 
2011

Lessons from The Front Lines: Trans Health and Rights

Lessons From The Front Lines: Trans Health and Rights
The report, available in both English and Spanish, examines data on access to health services and legal protections for transgender individuals in different settings, and details how societal stigma and institutionalized discrimination come together to create nearly insurmountable challenges for these populations and the organizations that serve them. More importantly, however, the report describes how grassroots organizations have confronted, responded to, and in some cases solved, many of the myriad challenges that confront them. The organizations profiled have achieved their successes through a combination of personal courage, determination, teamwork, and employing bold and creative strategies.
Year of publication: 
2014

Achieving an AIDS-Free Generation for Gay Men and Other MSM in Southern Africa: Executive Summary

Achieving an AIDS-Free Generation for Gay Men and Other MSM: Executive Summary
This report provides a comprehensive analysis to date of HIV-related funding and programming for MSM. The report also suggests actionable steps to improve the HIV response among MSM. A careful examination of MSM-related policies through donor and multilateral agencies reveals improved efforts but persistently inadequate investments and limited accountability for better results. On-the-ground consultations in eight epidemiologically diverse countries highlighted some models for success combined with persistent, widespread stigma in all contexts and a lack of even the most basic HIV prevention services for MSM in most. The research in this report confirms that countries that criminalize same-sex sexual practices spend fewer resources on HIV-related health services for MSM, do less to track and understand the epidemic in their nations, and are more likely to repurpose donor funds intended to fight the epidemic among MSM. However, criminalization is only one obstacle to effective HIV programs for MSM. Stigma and discrimination in all contexts play equally important roles.
Year of publication: 
2012

Achieving an AIDS-Free Generation for Gay Men and Other MSM in Southern Africa

Achieving an AIDS-Free Generation for Gay Men and Other MSM in Southern Africa
This report provides a comprehensive analysis to date of HIV-related funding and programming for MSM in six Southern African countries (Botswana, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabawe and Swaziland). The report also suggests actionable steps to improve the HIV response among MSM. A careful examination of MSM-related policies through donor and multilateral agencies reveals improved efforts but persistently inadequate investments and limited accountability for better results. On-the-ground consultations in the six countries highlighted some models for success combined with persistent, widespread stigma in all contexts and a lack of even the most basic HIV prevention services for MSM in most. The research in this report confirms that countries that criminalize same-sex sexual practices spend fewer resources on HIV-related health services for MSM, do less to track and understand the epidemic in their nations, and are more likely to repurpose donor funds intended to fight the epidemic among MSM. However, criminalization is only one obstacle to effective HIV programs for MSM. Stigma and discrimination in all contexts play equally important roles.
Year of publication: 
2013

The Needs and Rights of Male Sex Workers

The Needs and Rights of Male Sex Workers
This briefing paper was developed in line with the Global Network of Sex Work Projects (NSWP) priority to highlight the needs and rights of male sex workers (MSW) and presents an overview of some of the main issues faced by MSW globally; it also highlights some of the advocacy and activism efforts by MSW communities that have challenged these issues. The paper is intended for those policymakers and those who design and implement programmes and work directly with MSW with the aim of increasing awareness and understanding of the multiple realities and needs of this community. This paper is also intended as an advocacy tool for NSWP member groups to utilise in their attempts to raise awareness across the world about the needs of MSW and to advocate for their rights from the grassroots community level to global forums for change.