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Saturday, December 10 was Human Rights Day—the annual commemoration of the UN adoption, in 1948, of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. As frequent readers of this blog know, AVAC isn’t always convinced that “days” for topics or issues can change the world. But we know to our core that human rights—every day—are essential for progress in HIV and every other health issue.
We live and breathe this commitment in all of our programs and projects. And in this update, we highlight some of the work that is happening via our PxROAR program (Prevention Research, Outreach, Advocacy and Representation)—one of the ways that advocates will be fighting for fundamental rights in the months and year to come.
About PxROAR
AVAC’s PxROAR program is a collaborative space for learning and action, focused on frontline advocates. We share information and ideas on HIV prevention research and implementation advocacy through mentorship, peer support, networking opportunities and technical and financial assistance.
PxROAR US in Action: A focus on sex workers’ rights
The original PxROAR cadre, our US allies focus on the range of issues driving HIV and health disparities in America. We come from across the country and focus on issues of racial justice, LGBT rights, women’s sexual and reproductive health and the intersectionality of agendas. For Human Rights Day, ROARer Lindsay Roth provided a rich look at work on sex workers’ rights in action. Lindsay organizes with the Sex Workers Outreach Project-USA, a collective of sex workers and allies committed to ending stigma and violence towards those in the sex trade. Click here to read her blog.
PxROAR Europe
The PxROAR Europe cadre seeks to contribute to European advocacy for research, development and implementation of new HIV preventions, including AIDS vaccines, microbicides, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and treatment as prevention. Another focus for the group is tracking EMA licensing processes and advocating for funding for European-based research through the EU’s Financial Framework 2014-2020 and Horizon 2020. ROAR member Nicholas Feustel was recently recognized as the “Father of PrEP activism” in Germany. Click here to meet Nicholas and the other members.
PxROAR Africa: Frontline advocates working to bridge HIV prevention and human rights
Launched in 2016, PxROAR Africa is the newest cadre in the program. PxROAR Africa is focused on supporting work at the intersection of human rights and HIV prevention. Members represent and work with LGBTQI individuals, sex workers and other criminalized and marginalized populations. Through dialogues, shared learning and strategic action, we seek to advance the human right to health, including comprehensive HIV prevention treatment and care. ROAR Africa is co-led by AVAC’s Cindra Feuer and Micheal Ighodaro—whose recent AVAC blog post on sustaining energy in the fight for human rights for LGBT Africans is a must-read. Click here to read the bios of PxROAR Africa members.