Uzbekistan, UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia Mobilize Communities to Boost the AIDS Response

Dr. Mokhigul Musabekova, the head of the methodologic unit of the Republican AIDS Center of the Republic of Uzbekistan pointed out: "When people have the power to choose, to know, to thrive, to demand and to work together, lives are saved, injustices are prevented, and dignity is restored. Together with UNODC ROCA we will overcome the barriers and accelerate the national and global goals to fight the HIV epidemic."

UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia organized a round table on HIV prevention with community-led organizations, Nongovernmental Organizations (NGO's) and representatives of the key populations in Samarqand, Uzbekistan. The round table aimed to emphasize an important role that communities continue to play in the AIDS response at the national and local levels. 

During the round table, the participant shared their ideas that people and communities living with and affected by HIV need to be engaged in HIV service delivery, and more people living with HIV need to gain access to comprehensive prevention and treatment services.

Besides, it was pointed out that the UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia played and continues to play a key role in the mobilization of communities, especially among the Injecting Drug Users and women.

Participants stressed out that the involvement and leadership of women is vital in the response to HIV.  It is important to support them to leverage their potential. Women often underpin fragile social support systems of care to families and communities.

The representatives of the Republican AIDS Center highlighted that the round table aimed to boost the community-based services, which often support fragile public health systems by filling critical gaps.

The round table played a strong advocacy role to ensure that communities are involved into AIDS response, to recognize the importance of the topic on the national agenda, that human rights are respected, and no one is left behind.

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