The Regional Programme on HIV/AIDS for Latin America and The Caribbean was created to find a way to exhort people, governments, communities and institutions to change their perception and raise awareness about the HIV epidemic and promote multi-sectoral responses to give an effective response to HIV/AIDS Impact on Human Development.

Through the Regional Programme, UNDP seeks to organize and unite efforts between the institutions, associations and individuals to support national and regional policies that are targeted at segments of the population who are at higher risk due to socioeconomic conditions and cultural living. In this sense, the Programme focuses on three lines of action and strategic outcomes:

• Estrategic Planning and mainstreaming HIV/AIDS 
• Governance of HIV/AIDS Response 
• Human Rights, Gender and Sexual Diversity 

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Human Rights Induction Workshop and Sub-Regional Consultation  on MSM and Trans begins in Port of Spain   

Day one of the Induction Workshop on sexual diversity, human rights, gender and Caribbean sub-regional consultation on MSM and Trans in LAC gave the participants an overview of the various UN agencies such as the UNDP Regional Centre, the Port of Spain Office, UNAIDS and PAHO and their work in the programmatic area of HIV and AIDS. Presentations were also made on gender mainstreaming and human rights based approaches to HIV responses and programmes.  

During discussions it was clarified for the civil society participants that the UN agencies are not funding or donor agencies as such, but should instead be seen as their partners in the response to HIV both regionally and nationally. It was agreed that there is a need for Caribbean definitions of the various terms related to sexual diverse populations such as MSM and Trans. There was a call for collective understanding of advocacy and the channels through which it can be achieved. Additionally, it was hoped that whatever strategies come out of the workshop, would be followed by implementation and sustainability at the regional and country level.

Day 2 Induction Workshop Summary

Day two of the Induction Workshop gave the participants an overview of the HIV epidemic in the English Caribbean from an UNAIDS perspective. Participants also learnt about the Caribbean Regional Strategy Framework and the Draft UNDP Guidance Note on Universal Access MSM and Trans. Participants were then given the chance to work in groups to share their country experiences on what actions are currently being taken regarding universal access as well as their challenges and successes in human rights related issues. It was noted that most countries did have policies addressing sexual and gender minorities, however it was reiterated that of the entire Caribbean region only one English Speaking country had legislation that did not criminalise homosexuality; in this regard participants felt that addressing related issues of legislation and policy must remain key to the strategy.

Participants also gave their suggestions on what UNDP can do to support their organisations (NGO or UNDP Country Offices) and these ranged from capacity building for transgender and gay sex workers and HIV focal points in UN offices; institutional strengthening for NGOs; support in advocacy with regards to human rights of sexual minorities; contribution of technical and financial resources and the broader dissemination of cross cutting research on HIV issues.