Strive Foundation Rwanda is now implementing HIV/AIDs project in partnership with RBC and Global Fund in the Eastern Province of Rwanda in the Districts of Ngoma, Gatsibo, and Nyagatare. Key population groups are the type of groups who are at higher risks for HIV irrespective of the epidemic type or local context and who face social and legal challenges that increase their vulnerability. These include the female sex workers, MSM (Men Having Sex with Men), Transgender people, people who inject drugs and people in prison and other closed settings.

Mapping/tracing of key populations from their hotspots and networks is our first step to identify their geographical locations and size estimation and in this last quarter we managed to identify over FSWs=1,605, MSM=162, and 14 Trans genders in the respective districts.

In order to increase understanding of KP’s rights and issues we engage District Local leaders, law enforcement organs, religious leaders, health practitioners through stakeholders’ coordination meeting at district level. Also awareness meetings have been made to key populations quarterly to jointly reduce stigma & discrimination among KPs, and improve enabling environment and protection of KPs.

We have witnessed a positive outcome from the discussion and exchanging views on the above issues that generally that there has been a lot of change in terms of perceived stigma and discrimination, mistreatments, and access to health care services for these KPs.

However, this has to be continuous, scaled up and more still to be done in reducing stigma and discrimination, to increase awareness of Key Population rights and access to health care services as this will help to reduce the spread of HIV and STIs. From the discussions, further recommendations are always made by the participants something we consider a priority in our implementations

Strive Foundation Rwanda is now implementing HIV/AIDs project in partnership with RBC and Global Fund in the Eastern Province of Rwanda in the Districts of Ngoma, Gatsibo, and Nyagatare. Key population groups are the type of groups who are at higher risks for HIV irrespective of the epidemic type or local context and who face social and legal challenges that increase their vulnerability. These include the female sex workers, MSM (Men Having Sex with Men), Transgender people, people who inject drugs and people in prison and other closed settings.

Mapping/tracing of key populations from their hotspots and networks is our first step to identify their geographical locations and size estimation and in this last quarter we managed to identify over FSWs=1,605, MSM=162, and 14 Trans genders in the respective districts.

In order to increase understanding of KP’s rights and issues we engage District Local leaders, law enforcement organs, religious leaders, health practitioners through stakeholders’ coordination meeting at district level. Also awareness meetings have been made to key populations quarterly to jointly reduce stigma & discrimination among KPs, and improve enabling environment and protection of KPs.

We have witnessed a positive outcome from the discussion and exchanging views on the above issues that generally that there has been a lot of change in terms of perceived stigma and discrimination, mistreatments, and access to health care services for these KPs.

However, this has to be continuous, scaled up and more still to be done in reducing stigma and discrimination, to increase awareness of Key Population rights and access to health care services as this will help to reduce the spread of HIV and STIs. From the discussions, further recommendations are always made by the participants something we consider a priority in our implementations