Returning home, but stepping back

From choice, a world of possibilities

Returning home, but stepping backIncreasing access to sexual and reproductive health and HIV services for returnees in Rwanda and Burundi

Laurien NYABIENDAExecutive DirectorARBEF/RWANDA

Refugees and Asylum Seekers and HIV: Deportation and Human Rights Violations.20 July 201014:30-16:00

SOCIO-POLITICAL BACKGROUND

International AIDS Conference| Vienna, 18-23 July 2010

THE ISSUE Re-settlement communities are marked by a lack

of livelihood opportunities, weak social networks, and unmet needs for SRH and HIV services Only 2% of respondents in Rwanda reported

importance of condom use for HIV prevention;

Yet, returnees often overlooked by humanitarian organizations

Providing them with SRH and HIV services required an urgent and holistic approach to service delivery


THE INITIATIVE IPPF Member Associations in Rwanda (ARBEF) and

Burundi (ABUBEF) took up the task in 2007 and 2008

Aim: to increase returnees’ access to HIV and SRHR information and services

Approach: community mobilisation, active integration of HIV and SRH services, and strategic partnerships


IPPF

How sure are we that this statement is correct? Are organisations like FHI or MSI also not operational in Rwanda and Burundi? If we are not 100% confident that this is correct, we should probably not state it in front of a global audience!I have taken it of the slide for now, but happy for it be re-inserted if we are sure this is the case.

ACTIVITIESBURUNDI

Training of peer educators

Awareness and IEC sessions

Training of health care workers

Provision of VCT, STI management and family planning

Referral for ART and care

Formation of women’s groups

RWANDA Training of peer

educators Awareness and IEC

sessions New maternity ward Provision of VCT, STI

management, family planning, OI treatment and ANC

Referral for IGA and nutritional support


KEY ACHIEVEMENTS (1) Uptake of SRH and HIV services


IPPF

We currently have very limited data re. the number of people reached with HIV and SRH services. It woudl be great if ABUBEF could fill in the gaps!

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS (2) Increased openness about HIV and STIs

“I am able to talk to my children and wife – without shame - about HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases…” Male peer educator (aged 50), Burundi

Reduced stigma and discrimination against PLHIV More people openly living with HIV Faith-based and community leaders’ actions

against stigma and discrimination


KEY ACHIEVEMENTS (3) Reductions in domestic violence and increased

gender equality (Rwanda)

Kageyo Ndego Bukora0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

BeforeAfter

Reported Violence against Women(%)


“Being beaten was part of our custom, it was even believed to be a sign that our husbands cared, but now we know better.”

Head of the women’s association (aged 44), Kageyo, Rwanda


Key challenges Socio-economic, cultural and religious barriers

Lack of organisations among returnees

Geographic accessibility

Scarcity of land


RECOMMENDATIONS: Policy Acknowledge returnees as a vulnerable

population in HIV policies and programmes

Long-term goal needs to be re-integration into existing communities, rather than re-settlement areas

Create a conducive policy environment – and political will – for addressing gender-based violence


RECOMMENDATIONS: Programming Ensure a holistic and sustainable approach to

the long-term needs of returning refugees

Building in processes for community strengthening, as well as community mobilization

Use health interventions as an entry point to address wider development needs


“Now we always have the strength to work hard, confident that we can afford our children’s

needs…”Frida (44 years old)

With thanks to…

Japan Trust Fund for HIV and AIDS

Returning home, but stepping back

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