The President of Fiji, His Excellency Ratu Epeli Nailatikau today called for an inclusive approach as a key tool to addressing HIV and AIDS in Fiji.
As the Fijian Head of State launched the “Integrated Behavioural and Biological Survey and Size Estimation of Sex Workers in Fiji: HIV Prevention Project” report, he applauded the contribution by key stakeholders and persons towards the production of the report.
The report provides Fiji’s HIV response with sex workers, transgender people and other key populations a standard for the Pacific.
Today’s launch saw the President call for an inclusive approach to understanding and addressing HIV/AIDS in the country.
“I do believe that if we continue working together involving key populations such as sex workers, MSM, trans genders and people living with HIV Fiji will end AIDS by 2030”, the President told guests at today’s launch.
“The provision of comprehensive sexual health services alone will not be sufficient. As the research points out, a right based approach requires that sex workers and transgender people have access to legal literacy, legal aid services and other programmes that address, reduce and mitigate sexual, physical, emotional and economic violence,” His Excellency said.
The President commended the stakeholders – Ministry of Health, Fiji National University, Survival Advocacy Network (SANS) Fiji and UNAIDS for the first large scale quantitative research on sex workers in Fiji .
“We are pleased that the launch of the report comes before the International AIDS conference that opens next week in Melbourne as the results of this study can now be formally referred to in the regional and global forums and this is Fiji’s contribution to the global response.”
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