Eastern European Regional Platform for Accelerated Action for Women, Girls and Transgender in HIV/AIDS Context

Project outline

This project is developed in response to the pressing need to address the persistent gender inequalities and human rights violations that put Women, Girls and Transgender (WG/TG)at a greater risk of, and more vulnerable to HIV. The project leading organization – Alliance for Public Health and partner organizations / networks / coalitions from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine and Russia ( together acting as EKHN – Eurasian Key Population Health Network) focuses on actions in three areas, outlined below:

Strengthening strategic guidance and support to national partners to ‘know their epidemic and response’ in order to effectively meet the needs of WG/TG.

Assisting countries to ensure that national HIV and development strategies, operational plans, monitoring and evaluation frameworks and associated budgets address the needs and rights of WG/TG in the context of HIV.

Advocacy, capacity strengthening and mobilization of resources to deliver a comprehensive set of measures to address the needs and rights of WG/TG in the context of HIV.

The project is rooted in a broad-based human rights approach and reflects a number of principles, including participation, evidence-informed, tailored and ethical responses, partnership, the engagement of boys and men, leadership, multisectorality and accountability.

Key achievements to date

Organizations are developing their skill on gender programming and gender sensitivities in their organizations. “Gender Policy” with focus and HIV/AIDS, TB and Public Health is developed and adopted (or in stage of Board Consultation before final voting) by 7 partner organizations (at the project beginning phase none of partner organizations had gender policy).
WHO “Policy on Transgender and HIV/AIDS” was translated into project partners national languages based on the agreement between APH and WHO and is widely used by partners to promote transgender programming in their countries.
Research tool is developed for Gender Analysis with the aim to strengthen country HIV response programs in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine. International experts are selected through an open call to conduct the research. The aim of the research is integrating gender analysis into assessment, programme design, implementation and monitoring of organizational and national response.
Project Task Force and EKHN Provisory Board Meeting in Tbilisi, 13 – 14 November, 2016, overall 18 people will participate attending:

Training on Gender and HIV/AIDS, TB for PNCs and Partner organizational Board members, 15 – 16, November, 2016, overall 27 people will participate
Regional Winter School on “Gender Equality and Women, Girls and Transgender Empowerment in HIV/AIDS and TB context”, 17 – 19, November, 2016

Examples of country achievements

GEORGIA

Key Population led NGOs and community organizations (including LB groups, female sex workers and female drug users) agreed to make advocacy work together and to sign the memorandum in Tbilisi June, 2017 in order to obtain state/municipal funds for NGOs. Our project partner organization will lead the group and facilitate the planning of advocacy activities.

Partners have successfully implemented several activities to build capacity of communities of Female sex workers and Female injecting drug users. The important part of the training was dedicated to the issues of gender based violence issues. The reason of abovementioned activities were to identify leaders inside the communities and to increase the organizational capacity of already existing community organizations. The active community members were identified in Tbilisi and trainings were conducted in Kachreti (Kakheti region) and Borjomi (Shida Kartli region). Also the same activities are planned for Kutaisi (Imereti region) and Batumi (Adjara region).

Georgian partner continues its activity as an expert organization in the field of reproductive health and rights. Popularizing the gender context and provide the expertise in various TV and radio shows (Imedi TV, Rustavi2 TV and Public Broadcasting) to increase the visibility of women in general, with special accent on violence against women, women’s reproductive health rights and early marriage issues.

Based on advocacy developed with Georgian partners we achieved a huge changes in the educational system in Georgia. With the Ministry of Education and Science, The Georgian partner has been successfully cooperating to include gender elements, health issues, early marriages issues etc, in mandatory school education (please see below the success case).

Georgian partners were involved in the developing transition plan HR section cross cutting with HCV elimination program. Within Project constant support the Georgian Partners became the member of Policy and Advocacy Advisory Council (PAAC) that strategically leads the process. Through EHRN’s and EKHN technical support national standard on Harm Reduction with the costing modelling assumptions are to be finalized. The added Value to the process is the the standards are developed in line with the experts representing SCOs working with MSM and SWs communities with cooperation of our Project tow Georgian National Partners. The service standards are made for the mentioned groups as well. In line with the process community based monitoring systematization recommendations are drafted with EHRN technical support and EKHN consultancy and direct involvement of PWID. The upcoming work will be dedicated to effective budget advocacy through meaningful community engagement ensuring increases in public allocations to deliver sustainable and high quality harm reduction and HIV prevention services to PWIDs, MSM, TG, PLWHIV, SW and other affected people in Georgia.

ARMENIA

With Project technical support Strategic Plan for Armenian partner organization is elaborated and adopted – with same slogan as EKHN ones – SDGs for KPs (2017-2020). This synergy of the national strategy plan with regional big network’s strategic plan will bring more impact in the region.

The Project’s Armenian partner organization team:

Developed the Gender based Policy, that was based on the documents shared by the implementation team of RCNF funding. The main purpose of this gender policy document is to provide with a framework for guiding its efforts to achieve gender equality in all its technical and project/program work, and for assessing results of organization’s work in gender perspectives (whereas possible). It also invokes the whole organization to contribute to these efforts. So the Gender based Policy will ensure gender mainstreaming:

in organizational development and increasing organization’s gender capacity;
in planning or initiating new programs/projects;
in the process of implementation and evaluation of programs/projects;

The final document now is available in Armenian, approved by the Board and widely used not only by the organization but also partner organizations.

Ensured the collaborative synergy at national level within the organisations implementing GBV projects, organized the meeting of the coordinators of the programs with one of the theme dedicated to gender issues. There was presented the final draft of the Gender Policy Document, which was sent in advance to all coordinators, and was approved as final official document that can be embedded in the internal documents/policy of each organization member.

Conducted the Gender Assessment using the Gender Assessment Tool shared by the project secretariat and based on scores Organisational Gender Action Plan was developed.

As the organization has the direct access to the communities of TG people in Armenia through organizing mobilisation and empowering activities with them, in order to assure gender equal involvement there are planned info session on gender issues;

Another achievement of Armenian Partner is that ensures the stability in carrying out its activity is the partnership with the national (MoH, NAP) and international funds (GF, RCNF), UN Country Agencies (UNAIDS, UNODC, UNWOMEN, UNDP) and Local public Administration. Due to its involvement into current national programs using our project resources and dialogues at the country level, also to the partnership and also to the membership in EKHN (Eurasian Key Populations Health Network), the Armenian partner brings in the country new approaches, knowledge and skills in the field that helps in consolidating the efforts of the network of organization implementing strategy and is considered by the Ministry of Health and medical public structures as an important partner in fighting the HIV epidemic by gender mainstreaming.

MOLDOVA

During the course of its activity, in order to increase efficiency and achieve the intended purpose of our regional program, Moldavian Partners become Board member of the newly established Transgender Led organization and technical working groups on Youth Cultural Policy and of course member of National Anti-Discrimination Commission, which allowed direct involvement and presentation of interest of the community of people with high risk of infection, in the process of development of National AIDS Programs, National TB Programs, National Youth Policy and the Anti-drug strategy.

Due to active involvement of the civil society and the community, the National AIDS Program 2016-2020 (the NAP) and the current grant for GF are built also upon principles of gender mainstreaming and human rights evidence – based approach that ensures no one is left behind thanks to the Moldavian partner organization constant lobbying and advocacy. Current grant includes strategic focus on Human Rights, gender sensitive activities for KAPs and community systems strengthening with relevant budget. The NAP M&E framework includes gender disaggregated data on all those most affected populations, thus ensuring the HR and gender is quantified and measured.

UORN stuff assisted at distance (Skype and phone calls) the participants (10 persons, representing the organizations implementing the harm reduction programs in Republic of Moldova) in completing the Gender Assessment Tool in order to assess the capacity in promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women, girl and TG in HIV/AIDS service and community based organizations. It was prepared a common report on the received results.

UORN met with the organization in order to present processed data and helped the organization afterwards to elaborate the Organisational Gender Action Plan. At the moment 4 organization working in 6 regions of Moldova elaborated their Gender Action Plan

The association “Union for HIV prevention and harm reduction” (UORN) – National
The association “Youth for the Right to Live” Balti filial – Bălți and Faleshti /North
The association “The Adolescent Center” – Rezina and Orhei /Center
The organization “Bender Urban Society “Mercy” – Bender /South

Worked with GenderDoc-M (organization based on the work with LGBT community from Moldova):

to identify and involve the endocrinologist, which will be involved in health and enabling environment interventions, to complement existing programs. The endocrinologist participated in the 3 days workshop for endocrinologists and mentorship;
to identify and involve a representative from TG group to carry out the research between TG in Moldova, who participated to a five days workshop in Kiev;
designed and prepared all needed materials for the research between TG;

BELARUS

The project Secretariat have been informed that in Belarus the ” National Action Plan on Gender Equality in the Republic of Belarus for 2017-2020″ is adopted, which, in itself, is a certain step forward for Belarus. However, neither transgender nor LGBT people in general have been mentioned in the document.

Together with project Belorussian partner – BelSet antiAIDS Association, which also has not been invited to take part in the development of the “National Action Plan on Gender Equality in the Republic of Belarus for 2017-2020”, we developed fast advocacy plan. Nevertheless, two representatives of HelpTG Transgender Action Group have been delegated by BelSet antiAIDS to a stakeholders meeting on antidiscrimination activity. The meeting resulted in the resolutions set forth here below.

(1) There is a Google-hosted Web users’ group to be created, open to new members who second the antidiscrimination agenda. Members of the group are to get their access to a shared event calendar and can introduce their activities to this timetable.

(2) One of the joint activities proposed for the most near future is the enhancement of the concept of the national antidiscrimination legal framework. The draft concept was developed with active involvement of our resources. Now it should be finalized, considered and discussed by stakeholders and submitted to the National Centre for Legislation and Legal Research by October this year. We are actively involved on developments.

(3) Development of a glossary of appropriate terms related to various vulnerable groups facing discrimination.

A gender-sensitive re-assessment has been done for BelSet AntiAIDS Association. Members of the Coordination Committee, staff members of the Association, member organisations under the Association took part in the assessment.

In comparison with the last year’s assessment results, the recent mean score has increased from 3.23 to 3.705, from 1 to 5 scale.

Significant changes have been observed in the following sectors:

Aspect 1: the technical capacity increased from 3.07 to 3.92

Aspect 2: the organisational culture enhanced from 3.77 to 4.33

Aspect 3: the accountability improved from 2.98 to 3.37

Aspect 4: the political will strengthened from 3.1 to 3.2.

AZERBAIDJAN

The Project Azeri partner organization held 3 round tables with representatives of the Ministry of Health, the leadership of the AIDS Center and the portfolio manager of the Global Fund Manager for the region. At the meetings, the expansion of services in the field of HIV prevention and opportunistic diseases for TG and women was discussed. With Project technical support, our local partners successfully advocated to include in the program of the package of services a free STI analysis for TG and women. At a meeting with representatives of the AIDS Center, the topic of stigma and discrimination in healthcare institution especially against TG clients, was again raised. Our partner is in negotiation with local authorities to conduct a training on reducing stigma and discrimination among medical personnel addressed to the TG clients.

The project provided assistance to our local partners to become member of the “Platform for Dialogue with the State of the Civil Sector”. The visibility of the organization and the Project has increased, because before that our partner organization cooperated only with NGOs and government agencies working in the field of HIV / AIDS, and now they have reached the political platform. That opens us great prospects for lobbying our values. This is a very effective platform consisting of both state structures and representatives of the Civil Sector. One of the main participants of the platform is representatives of the President’s Office and the NGO Support Fund under the President’s staff.

Together with the organization working on the problem of violence against women in families and women in commercial sex, our partner suggested that the Ministry of Health be included in the list of ministries entitled to grant grants to NGOs. It will be able to increase funding directed at combating HIV / AIDS in the country and in particular in vulnerable groups such as TG, women and girls. Officials asked us to write an official letter to provide it for consideration to the president of the country. They also promised to raise this issue at the autumn session of the country’s parliament. Together with the women’s organization we successfully lobbied this issue, and we can say we got a promise for additional funding from the state.

Open and well-facilitated dialogue between medical practitioners (e.g. endocrinologists) and transgender people in the informal and unconstrained atmosphere, which was achieved at the training on 27 – 29 May, is highly productive in addressing the gender stereotypes and improving the quality of care for transgender people. The several hours of such a dialogue created a solid and long-term basis for professional improvement of doctors and other health staff. Such practices need to be continued and expanded under the Project.

RUSSIA

The Project allowed our Russian partner to open new prospective partnerships with other NGOs in Russia and abroad. Gender and Rights Protection became the priority agenda topics for the Organization. It was reflected in social media and events of the partners, in which the National Coordinator takes part.

The one of the latest achievements was related to the International Scientific Conference “Narcology Nowadays: Achievements, Problems and Perspectives” held in Moscow on 15 June, 2017. The National Coordinator co-chaired the session “Comorbid Psychic and Narcological Diseases”, and hosted the presentations of the three representatives of the Russian NGOs on the key issues of the patients’ rights protection, AIDS-dissent, and the results of the monitoring study on access to medical care among the pregnant women who use drugs. Representatives of the national authorities and scientific institutions took part in the discussion within this session and agreed to develop standards with our project partner organization being leading agency.

Situation with LGBT in the North Caucasus region have so far been among major concerns of the international community and in our Project too. Our Russian partner subjected the issue by a number of alarming publications in mass media. EKHN published ith political statement on this issue and contacted local communities offering legal support. Due to its design, scope of funding and partnership framework, the Project gives wide opportunities for its participants to speak independently and keep strong ownership on the activities. It allows prompt reactions to the emergency situations related to gender violence and Human Rights considerations, as was visibly proved by the interventions of the Project staff towards the gay people crisis in Chechen Republic. Rapid communication efforts, information exchange and networking helped much in clarifying the state of affairs and necessary steps to support key populations. The Project allowed generating further fundraising and planning activities as a response to the crisis in Chechen Republic. Based on the available outcomes, including the trained staff and partners, profoundness in the gender-related issues, the project idea was raised to address the health needs of the key populations suffered from that crisis. The project idea is being further developed and converted into the relevant stakeholders.

The Project and its Russian national focal point is actively involved in the processes related to the protection of the rights of NGOs suffering the inclusion into the “foreign agents” list. ESVERO, being one of such NGOs facing severe legal, financial and reputational consequences, benefitted much from that running through the court proceedings over the reporting period. Due to the well-informed strategy and the outmost support of the “NGO Lawyers’ Club” and our Project technical support, ESVERO managed to waive the previous decisions of the Zamoskvoretsky District Court of Moscow that imposed a huge fine to the Organization for having had not applied to the “foreign agents” list. This decision was dismissed by the Moscow City Court as a result of the appeal. However, the ESVERO administrative case was assigned to another District Court of Moscow for the continued proceedings according to the territory jurisdiction. On 1 June 2017, the newly assigned Simonovsky District Court has imposed the fine again ignoring all the ESVERO arguments and significant procedural violations that had been made by the Ministry of Justice before. It became a very disappointing moment displaying again the strong political pressure towards independently speaking NGOs. Our Project is continuing its constant technical support that ESVERO continues protecting its rights.

EKHN and project membership:

1. We for Civil Equality NGO is the oldest MSM/TG organization in the South Caucasus working in all 11 regions in Armenia.

2. Gender and Development NGO is the only MSM/TG organisation in Azerbaijan with 3 branches.

3. “BelSet antiAIDS” is the only officially registered HIV/AIDS NGO in Belarus and unites 17 NGOs working in 26 Belarusian cities.

4. Center for Information and Counseling on Reproductive Health – Tanadgoma NGO has over 15 years of experience and 5 branches based in Georgia.

5. The Georgian Harm Reduction Network comprises 26 NGOs dealing with issues of drug consumption and drug policy.

6. Union for HIV prevention and Harm Reduction has over 9 years of experience of Public Healthcare programs coordination in Moldova.

7. Non-Profit Partnership “ESVERO” is uniting 23 members in Russia involved in delivery of social prevention services to PUD, LGBT, women, prisoners.

8. Alliance for Public Health in Ukraine (APH)

PROJECT TEAM

Dr. Karen BADALYAN

Kyiv, UKRAINE

ICF ‘Alliance for Public Health’

Project Director

Email address: badalyan@aph.org.ua

In his capacity of the Project Director, Karen serves as a liaison between APH, Project national partners, Project teams, Executives, Project stakeholders and EKHN membership. He leads project portfolio, manages activities, initiatives, oversees and develops key deliverables connecting dependencies across strategy, budget and operational plan.
Karen possess diploma of Master of Sciences from Yerevan State University and Doctor of Biology from Armenian National Academy of Sciences. Main topic of studies are immunology, virusology, histology and genetic. He is the author of 17 scientific publications, including studies and research and 23 books and IEC.
From 2006 – 2016, he was the elected chair of “We For Civil Equality” community based NGO in Armenia and working on HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care among key population. Since 2011, he is the Executive Director of the South Caucasian HIV/AIDS Network.
Karen attended more than 100 trainings and workshops, as well as special courses on: Diplomacy, Leadership Styles and Social changes (France, Paris – VI University), Non – Profit Organizations and Civil Society (USA, Brandeis University), Group dynamic (UK, Oxford University), etc.
With 14 years of experience in HIV/AIDS, Human Rights, Public Health and Gender, he used to serve as peer reviewer, expert, trainer and consultant for several institutions: amfAR, USAID, UNDP, WHO, USAID, EQUITAS, EATG, GF, MSMGF, etc. In 2014 – 2016, he was the Ombudsperson of EATG and from 2015 he is The Council of Europe SOGI Expert in the framework of the implementation of activities in the field of combating discrimination on grounds of SOGIE.

Ielyzaveta BIELIAVTSEVA

Kyiv, Ukraine

ICF ‘Alliance for Public Health’

Project Assistant: CITIes

Email address: bieliavtseva@aph.org.ua

Ielyzaveta has a Master degree in Jurisprudence and currently obtaining the MBA in the Netherlands. She has experience in NGO sector for almost 6 years. She was working as a Project Manager in Ukrainian NGO “Youth Initiative of Cities”. In addition, her experience includes a position of Project Assistant in the National Committee of Ukrainian Red Cross Society. Ielyzaveta is responsible for coordinating the process of communication between project partners; assistance in logistics issues for preparation of events within the project, reporting on project progress and evaluating the framework assess the strengths of the program and identify areas for improvement. Also, she prepares all payments and accompanying documentation for Project National Coordinators, as well as provides general assistance in organizing different activities within the project, assisting in the dissemination of information about the project activities and progress via Alliance web site and Facebook page.

Ievgen KUSHNIR

Kyiv, UKRAINE

ICF ‘Alliance for Public Health’

Project Officer: International Programs

Email address: kushnir@aph.org.ua

Ievgen has diploma in International Relations and Political Science. He has been working in NGO sector for almost 8 years – 3 years in the National Committee of Ukrainian Red Cross Society as a Communication Officer, and 5 years in the Alliance for Public Health. Initially starter working in Alliance as a part of Field Programs Team, then joined International Programs Department. Ievgen is responsible for administrative support of the project. He leads in logistics issues for preparation of events within the project, prepares all payments, including consultation fees of Project National Coordinators, organize and provide coordination to visits of Project Director, disseminate information about the project activities via Alliance web-site and Facebook page.

Iryna KOZHEMIACHENKO

Kyiv, UKRAINE

ICF “Alliance for Public Health”

Project Finance Manager

Email address: kozhemyachenko@aph.org.ua

Iryna has a Master’s degree in finance and she is a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. She started working in NGO sector in 2011, after five-year experience in audit and financial analysis. Iryna is responsible for preparation of regular financial reports for the project, she monitors management accounts, liaises with donors, prepares and processes fund requests for financing program activities, works closely with auditors and inspectors to ensure accurate reporting. Iryna has a profound experience of project finance work in grants of the Global Fund, USAID, European Commission etc.

Tatevik MARTIROSYAN

Yerevan, ARMENIA

“Eastern European Regional Platform for Accelerated Action for Women, Girls and Transgender in HIV/AIDS Context” Project National Coordinator

Email address: health@msmarmenia.org

Ms. Tatevik MARTIROSYAN holds a diploma from RA Republican Center of Esthetic Education and also has Master Degree on Art and Culture Directing graduated from RA Yerevan State Institute of Theatre & Cinematography. Ms. MARTIROSYAN has 8 years experience on Capacity building of youth NGOs in the South Caucasus and Advocacy for interests and access to services for SWs.

Focusing woman emancipation and gender equality promotion, Ms. MARTIROSYAN participated in contest “My Scrapbook of Change”, Tbilisi International Film Festival “Amirani”, “ T-Time” Conference, International Women’s Film Festival “KIN”.

Ms. MARTIROSYAN is one of the initiators and strategy developers of the South Caucasus LTG Women Network, served as board member of WFCE (We for civil equality) NGO.

Ms. MARTIROSYAN is the creator of WFCE policy and programming focusing on harnessing the potential of women as an important economic and social driver for more inclusive and sustainable development. Her main approach is that policies and programmes that unintentionally leave out or disenfranchise women will never be successful over the long term. Nor can inclusive growth be achieved if women’s empowerment is compartmentalized, or seen as a separate activity from what are traditionally perceived as the core functions of government.

Elhan BAGIROV,

Baku, AZERBAIJAN

“Eastern European Regional Platform for Accelerated Action for Women, Girls and Transgender in HIV/AIDS Context” Project National Coordinator

Email address: gender.and.development.az@gmail.com

Mr. Elhan BAGIROV is the one of the founders of the NGO “Gender and Development” in Baku, Azerbaijan (June 2006) and currently he is the Deputy Chairman of the organization. He hes more than 10 years experience of Programs Managing in HIV/AIDS prevention and Projects Coordination on HIV/AIDS and STIs prevention and Outreach Workers. Elhan is actively involved in fundraising, community mobilization, documenting human rights violations, creating a friendly social environment, reducing stigma, anti-discrimination, the availability of opportunities for self-sufficiency (for example: the right to education, work and housing) among people living with HIV.

Elhan has excellent communication skills, has civic active life position with focus on results, stress resistance and striving for development and professional growth.

Oleg YEREMIN

Minsk, BELARUS

“Eastern European Regional Platform for Accelerated Action for Women, Girls and Transgender in HIV/AIDS Context” Project National Coordinator

Email address: ngoaidsnetwork@gmail.com

Has worked in HIV / AIDS prevention since 1997. From 2004 to 2014 served as Chairman of the Board of Republican Youth Public Association “Vstrecha”. From 2008 to present day has served as Chairman of the Steering Committee of the Association of non-profit organizations to combat HIV / AIDS epidemic “BelSet anti-AIDS” (Belarusian AIDS network NGO). Has a degree in teaching.

A national and international expert on HIV / AIDS prevention among MSM, legislative analysis, advocacy, community mobilization, development of partnerships between civil society organizations and government institutions, monitoring and evaluation in the field of HIV / AIDS. Has been repeatedly invited to lend his expertise to UN agencies, the International HIV / AIDS Alliance in Ukraine, ECOM and other international organizations.

As a coach of the national HIV / AIDS team, has held more than 70 training sessions and developed five training modules. Deputy Chairman of the Country Coordinating Committee for Cooperation with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

Dr. Sergo CHIKHLADZE MD, PhD

Tbilisi, GEORGIA

“Eastern European Regional Platform for Accelerated Action for Women, Girls and Transgender in HIV/AIDS Context” Project National Coordinator

Email address: sergochikhladze@yahoo.com

Sergo Chikhladze graduated from Tbilisi State Medical University in 2000. Then he continued his education in Russian Federation, Europe and US. In 2005-2008 he served as a dean of Georgian-US private nursing school in Tbilisi. From 2008-2012 Dr. Chikhladze served as a director and coordinator of various HIV/AIDS related projects funded by international organizations. 2011-2013 – Chairman of Tanadgoma-Center for information and counseling on reproductive health. In 2014 he successfully completed the prestigious Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program in Public Health Policy & Management, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. At the same time he worked in US on cost effectiveness analysis of quality improvement interventions in healthcare for low and middle income countries.

Since 2014 he has been providing consultancy work for international organizations (including UN agencies, Global Fund, EU etc.) and CSOs related to health and social issues such as access to health, health rights, governance and organizational assessment, needs assessment, organizational development, hidden populations, minorities rights, HIV/AIDS, penitentiary system reforms, psychosocial rehabilitation and re-socialization issues etc.

Dr. Sergo Chikhladze is a member of PMI (Project Management Institute) member since May 2014; Member of APHA (American Public Health Association) member since Aug 2013; Laureate of VII International conference of young scientists, Moscow, Russian Federation (May 2003). Sergo Chikhladze received personal award/certificate from the US President and Secretary of State.

Medea KHMELIDZE

Tbilisi, GEORGIA

“Eastern European Regional Platform for Accelerated Action for Women, Girls and Transgender in HIV/AIDS Context” Project National Coordinator

Email address: mkhmelidze@hrn.ge; medeakhmelidze@gmail.com

Medea Khmelidze (MSW) also holds the position of National Programme Manager of
the Global Fund’s regional project “Harm Reduction Works – Fund It!” within
the Georgian Harm Reduction Network. The GHRN combines 26 NGOs in Georgia
working on drug use issues.

Medea has been in the field of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights
since 2007. She is also a member of ASTRA/ASTRA Youth, CEE Network working
towards transforming gender power relations in society so that women, girls,
men and boys can enjoy their sexual and reproductive rights, and are equal,
free and live in dignity. She represents the Georgian Union of PLHIV-Real
People Real Vision at ASTRA Network which she supports as an advocacy
advisor. Through the network she has been working on women empowerment
issues and advancing the sexual and reproductive rights in UN processes,
namely in post 2015 agenda.

She is having almost 7 years of experience in the research field directed at
generating qualitative /quantitative data that determine and strengthen the
access to medical and social services to Key Affected Population, as well as
their capacity to claim their sexual and reproductive rights in the EECA
region; contributing to improving and innovating SRHR policies and
practices, with a special focus on empowering women, youth and key
populations.

Ala IATCO

Beltsi, MOLDOVA

“Eastern European Regional Platform for Accelerated Action for Women, Girls and Transgender in HIV/AIDS Context” Project National Coordinator

Email address: protineret@yahoo.com

Ms. Ala IATCO does have 18 years of work experience in the area of implementing HIV Prevention and Harm Reduction Programs in the Republic of Moldova. Since 2000, Ms. Iatco has been involved in the senior management of the Association “Youth for the Right to Life” from Balti. In 2007 she actively participated in the establishment of the Harm Reduction Network in the country known at present as the Union for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Harm Reduction in Moldova, holding the position of Union President. Ms. Iatco took part in the development of several manuals, guidelines and standards related to HIV Prevention Program work amongst the groups with high risk of infection in the Republic of Moldova. She pursued substantial activity aiming to advocate sustainability and durability of Harm Reduction Programs and to increase the State Budget support for these Programs. Ms. Iatco has got her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Assistance and Master’s Degree in Social Assistance and Public Health Management. Along with the activity unrolled in the associative sector, Ms. Iatco has gained a great deal of academic experience working as an Assistant Professor at the State University “Alecu Russo” from Balti Municipality.

Elena ROMANYAK

Moscow, RUSSIA

“Eastern European Regional Platform for Accelerated Action for Women, Girls and Transgender in HIV/AIDS Context” Project National Coordinator

Email address: Romanyak@esvero.ru

Elena Romanyak has a degree in Law and is the member of the Council (i.e. the Board’s Executive Committee) of the Non-Profit Partnership “ESVERO”. She has 13-year experience in counselling, research and analysis in the field of human rights, gender and community mobilization, NGO sustainability, at international and national levels, including 10 years in the area of HIV/AIDS. She was participating in and leading the number of programmes and projects in the above-mentioned field involving wide range of stakeholders from different sectors of society.

Since 2011, issues of the civil society empowerment, equal dialogue with the Government, and of the increased role of NGOs in social sector have been among the key professional activities of Elena Romanyak. Starting from 2014, she deals closely with social projects evaluation and NGO sustainability. She currently develops new approaches in equal access of most-at risk populations to essential medico-social services and improved skills and professional level of the community representatives and experts.