“INFORMED AND PROTECTED.” TRAINING was held FOR CSWs
On June 26-27, 2023, capacity building training was held for CSWs by New Generation Humanitarian NGO (NGNGO).
The goal of the training was to raise the awareness of CSWs about the importance of HIV prevention and testing, HIV prevention methods, ways of transmission, STIs, treatment and prevention as well as to enhance their legal awareness by providing knowledge in the field of the right to health, the right to be free from stigma and discrimination.
The training was launched with the welcoming speech of the NGNGO President Sergey Gabrielyan who stressed the importance of the training and thanked the participants for their attendance.
After the welcoming speech, Sergey Gabrielyan presented the topic “The importance of HIV prevention and testing”, giving detailed information about HIV and AIDS, , transmission ways, and prevention methods to the participants.
The trainer also spoke about the sexually transmitted infections, prevention methods, as well as informed the participants about NGNGO HIV testing and prevention services, availability of referrals for STIs screening and treatment, screening for HCV and HBV, for pre-exposure and post-exposure prophylaxes for HIV, etc.
The next day lawyers Shushan Khnkoyan, Anahit Mkrtchyan and U.S. Embassy representative Lilit Antonyan held a discussion under the topics of Human Rights, the Right to Healt and Fight against Stigma and Discrimination with the participants. The participants were introducedto the definition of stigma and discrimination, manifestations and types of discrimination, domestic and international legislation prohibiting discrimination, the mechanisms of domestic and international protection, the rights of RA citizens to health, the RA Law “on medical aid and services”, the RA Law “on Prevention of the disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus”, the rights and obligations of people living with HIV.
The participants also had a chance to raise the issues and problems, stigma and discrimination they face in their everyday life, particularly in the realization of their right to health, and received advice where to apply and what actions to take in such situations.
The training went on in an atmosphere of active discussions, questions and answers, including theoretical lectures and practical workshops, team exercises.
The training course was organized within the framework of the projects of “Support to the Armenian State Strategic Program for HIV/AIDS Prevention”, implemented with financial support of Gilead Sciences Inc .