IRMA-led Global Collaboration Supports Lubricant Advocacy Projects in Africa

Social marketing material developed by Centre for Popular Education and Human Rights, a 2014 GLAM grantee in Ghana

AVAC, amfar, COC Netherlands and International Rectal Microbicide Advocates (IRMA) are pleased to announce seven Global Lube Access Mobilisation (GLAM) awards to projects in Africa.

GLAM, an initiative of IRMA’s Project ARM (Africa for Rectal Microbicides) in collaboration with amfAR, AVAC, and COC Netherlands, promotes advocacy in support of increased access to safe, condom-compatible lubricants for all Africans who engage in anal and vaginal intercourse, including GMT (gay men and other men who have sex with men, and transgender individuals) and heterosexual men and women.

In response to a request for proposals widely disseminated in February 2014, GLAM partners received 36 proposals representing 17 African countries (Botswana, Cameroun, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe). A diverse team of 20 advocates and public health professionals with an interest in lubricant access in Africa (from Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, Zambia, Liberia, South Africa, Rwanda, Benin, Canada, Netherlands and the United States) reviewed the proposals.

Seven projects were selected for funding. These projects began in early July 2014 and will complete their efforts in December 2014. Following is a list of these projects.

Alternatives Cameroun (Douala, Cameroun)
Working in collaboration with other organizations in Douala and Yaoundé, Alternatives Cameroun plans to organize meetings and workshops with health officials and other HIV stakeholders in the country. The meetings and workshops will underscore the importance of providing safe, condom-compatible lubricant as part of comprehensive HIV and STI prevention programming. These activities support the ultimate goal of developing and securing a channel for the distribution of safe, condom-compatible lubricant throughout Cameroun.

Centre for Popular Education and Human Rights (Accra, Ghana)
Centre for Popular Education and Human Rights (CEPEHRG) will campaign to increase access, availability, and use of safe, affordable, condom-compatible lubricant by all who engage in sexual intercourse in Ghana, with special attention given to the LGBT community. The group will call for the inclusion of condom-compatible lubricant in the national essential drug list. Educational and social marketing efforts will take place at the community outreach level and through CEPEHRG’s national advocacy work.

Centre Stage Media Arts Foundation (Bulawayo, Zimbabwe)
Centre Stage Media Arts Foundation (CSMA) will convene policy advisory seminars to engage stakeholders from the Ministry of Health, legislators and members of civil society in support of three goals. One, integrate access to safe, condom-compatible lubricant in the Zimbabwe National HIV/AIDS Strategic Plan. Two, advocate for inclusion of lube as a line item in the national HIV prevention budget. Three, campaign for policy and program changes to allow for the distribution of lube through the same public health distribution channels that condoms are distributed through. A policy brief on the integration of lube access into national HIV prevention policies and programs will be produced. Traditional and social media will be utilized.

Community Health Education Services & Advocacy (Dar es Salaam, Tanzania)Securing government leadership and commitment to amend the national condom policy and include the provision of safe, condom-compatible lubricant in public health facilities is the chief goal of Community Health Education Services & Advocacy (CHESA). The group will work to build multi-sectorial awareness of the importance of lubricant and will engage the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, health care practitioners, community based organizations, as well as members of the GMT community. The public health message will be “Condom Compatible Lubricant Reduces New HIV Infections.”

Men Against AIDS Youth Group (Kisumu, Kenya)
Men Against AIDS Youth Group (MAAYGO) seeks to increase access to safe, condom-compatible lubricants through several methods. The group will conduct a needs assessment and implement a targeted advocacy campaign in Kisumu County for the GMT community, health care workers, and policy makers. Educational workshops will be conducted with the goal of developing a cadre of lube access advocates who will work to improve government policies and programs. A print/social marketing campaign highlighting the importance of lubricant access in HIV/STI prevention programming will be launched.

New HIV Vaccine and Microbicide Advocacy Society (Lagos, Nigeria)
The strategy New HIV Vaccine and Microbicide Advocacy Society (NHVMAS) will take to improve lubricant access in Nigeria will be to create public demand for these important products for both men and women. Advocacy will be conducted at the state and national levels to promote government investment in lube access. NHVMAS will utilize its listserv, engage the media, and conduct trainings to enhance community awareness of the importance of safe, condom-compatible lubricant in HIV/STI prevention programming.

Partners in Health Research and Development (Thika, Kenya)
The work of Partners in Health Research and Development (PHRD) will seek to improve knowledge of and access to condoms and safe, condom-compatible lubricant among key populations in Kenya. In addition, the group will undertake actions in support of the establishment of a sustainable condom and lubricant delivery system. Sensitisation sessions will be conducted for stakeholders including HIV prevention advocates, civil society coalitions, policy makers, government officials, donors, condom distributors and the media. The inclusion of safe, condom-compatible lubricant in the National Strategic Plan is one of the project’s key projected milestones.


Related materials:

Click here for the GLAM Toolkit in English in French.

The GLAM initiative supported three African projects in 2013. Click here for a GLAM PowerPoint presentation that includes information on these projects.

Click here to access the Project ARM report, "On the Map: Ensuring Africa's Place in Rectal Microbicide Research and Advocacy", published in 2012.

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*Join IRMA's robust, highly-active. moderated, global listserv addressing rectal microbicide research and advocacy as well as other interesting new HIV prevention technologies by contacting us at rectalmicro@gmail.com. Joining our listserv automatically makes you a member of IRMA - a network of more than 1,100 advocates, scientists, policy makers and funders from all over the world.

*Please look for us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/InternationalRectalMicrobicideAdvocates, and you can follow us on Twitter: @rectalmicro.

  *Also, please note that shared news items from other sources posted on this blog, Facebook, and Twitter do not necessarily mean IRMA has taken any position on the article's content.

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Those Lube Stickers Aren’t Just For Show!

by Mike Wilson
(former IRMA intern, IRMA advocate forever)

 Hello IRMA! It feels like I have not said that greeting in ages. I may not be an intern with the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, but I have certainly not left behind my engagement with (and love of) IRMA and other HIV prevention organizations.

Since leaving the IRMA internship I have been working as a Youth Advocate for a teen center in the greater Chicago area. While I will honestly attest to the fact that working with the teens at the center and local community has been a rewarding experience, it has not come without its fair share of awkwardness - most notably the “pearl clutching” that occurs when people ask me what I did before working at the teen center.

And to be fair, it hasn’t all been “pearl clutching.” The community in this area is absolutely fantastic, I have been surprised time and time again at how committed this community is to its teens and families. And as my husband and I move to upstate New York, we can only hope that we find ourselves in a community as dedicated to the concept of community. Particularly among the teens there has been a surprising interest in discussing HIV prevention methods - so hopefully the seeds of future activism are being planted.

Along with this surprising interest, there has been confusion and silence as I get the feeling that many of the teens (and members of the community) are ignorant of the HIV/AIDS battle being fought not even a mile away in the city of Chicago. Though the mostly white, fairly wealthy families of this area are privileged enough to not be the face of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Chicago, but within that privilege they often find themselves shut off from understanding how real and close this epidemic is. Perhaps the best way to explain this is by discussing what happened last weekend.

In an effort to get teens involved in volunteer work, our center leads monthly trips into Chicago to a soup kitchen to let the teens learn about experiences other than their own and to learn the importance of community engagement and volunteerism. These trips involve meeting at the center and then piling into the cars of various staff members.

However, this time, as I was closing up the center doors, teens had began to make their way into the parking lot. A group of four teens happened to notice a small blue Neon that has a few (too many) bumper stickers on the back. Interestingly enough, these teens didn’t know that this was my car. As I approached the group to let them in my car, I could hear them laughing and one of them saying “And Lube? And Lube? What the hell?” To which, the group continued to laugh more than I thought someone could at the concept of lubricant.

Not sure how to proceed I walked through the group and unlocked the car. There was this awkward pause as the teens looked at me, in shock that they were making fun of bumper stickers on a car that they didn’t know was mine. I opened my door to get in and the teens still stood, seeming hesitant. To which I just said, “well lube matters” and quickly followed that with “ok, now come on. We’re going to be late”. And they hurried into the car.

Even with the radio on, there was an awkward silence in the car. The teens were clearly worried that I may have been upset and I was attempting to figure out how to best explain that I wasn’t upset with them, but still reinforce some message about GLAM (Global Lube Access Mobilization) and the “And Lube” campaign.

Suddenly, the silence was broken. “So, uh, Mike... yeah... we weren’t making fun of your car. It’s just, having a sticker about lube isn’t something you see everyday”.

To which I laughed a bit. “Oh please, I wouldn’t care if you made fun of this car. I’m a grad student, of course my car isn’t wonderful.”

To which a teen perked up in his seat. “So what? Do the stickers hold the car together?” The teens laughed, I couldn’t help but join in a bit.

“More or less,” I responded. “And really guys, don’t worry about it.”

“So I have to ask, what does ‘And Lube’ mean?”

“Well, the ‘And Lube’ campaign is exactly what it sounds like. It’s about advocating for proper lubricant along with condoms in the fight against HIV/AIDS.”

“Why would you need that?”

“Well, as I’m sure you’ve discussed in health classes. Condoms can break, or slip, or tear. And that can make them problematic for HIV/AIDS prevention. Having proper lubricant along with condoms helps prevent those issues and thus helps to prevent new HIV infections.”

And then the most wonderful reply came: “makes sense.”

There were many ways that I could have handled this situation. My first instinct, honestly, was to just say something along the lines of “lube access isn’t funny,” but I didn’t want to come across as overly judgmental. And in all honesty, before I worked with IRMA, I don’t think I would have thought any differently than this group of teens that I already know are well-engaged.

Yes, this situation may have been awkward at first. But it was a great opportunity to explore that awkwardness and get in some activism. It is surprising how much a sticker can get someone talking and it is even more surprising to see someone engage with that humor and to then be reminded that activism is about education and engagement after all.



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*Join IRMA's robust, highly-active. moderated, global listserv addressing rectal microbicide research and advocacy as well as other interesting new HIV prevention technologies by contacting us at rectalmicro@gmail.com. Joining our listserv automatically makes you a member of IRMA - a network of more than 1,200 advocates, scientists, policy makers and funders from all over the world.

*Please look for us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/InternationalRectalMicrobicideAdvocates, and you can follow us on Twitter: @rectalmicro.

*Also, please note that shared news items from other sources posted on this blog do not necessarily mean IRMA has taken any position on the article's content.

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African Common Position Paper Highlights Importance of Condom-Compatible Lubes and Rectal Microbicide Research

Our friends at AIDS Accountability International (AAI), in conjunction with The African Union Commission (AUC), recognised the need for greater African civil society organisation representation in the International Conference on Population Development (ICPD) process. So, tt was decided to create the African Common Position (ACP) on ICPD to reflect and include the perspectives, recommendations and expertise of African stakeholders.

The full ACP is available here. To sign on and endorse the Civil Society African Common Position please click here.

IRMA is excited to report that the need for safe, accessible, condom compatible lubricants as well as support for rectal microbicide research in Africa have been highlighted in the just completed African Common Position Paper (ACP) on ICPD. Our Project ARM - Africa for Rectal Microbicides effort is having an impact!

The specific sections on lube and rectal microbicides are as follows:

4.4.10. Recognise the need for further research into the role of anal and vaginal sexual lubricants for use as a tool to prevent HIV, STI’s and unplanned pregnancies, as well as its safety for users and compatibility with various other ingredients and condom varieties. Commit to making access to quality and affordable lubricants a reality for all people, as well as commit to funding for training and support for condom compatible lubricant use;

4.4.11. Train all health care workers, as well as procurement and head office ministry staff on new and evolving SRHR commodities especially with regard to HIV treatment and prevention technologies, this includes but is not limited to understanding the current vaginal and rectal micro-biocide and pre exposure prophylaxis fields in general and their specific programming implications for women and girls.

IRMA encourages you, or your organisation, to endorse the ACP. Click here to endorse.

Special thanks to IRMA member Tian Johsnon, one of the architects of Project ARM. His extraordinary leadership helped to make this happen. Kudos Tian!
Download the full African Common Position Paper here.

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*Join IRMA's robust, highly-active. moderated, global listserv addressing rectal microbicide research and advocacy as well as other interesting new HIV prevention technologies by contacting us at rectalmicro@gmail.com. Joining our listserv automatically makes you a member of IRMA - a network of more than 1,200 advocates, scientists, policy makers and funders from all over the world.

*Please look for us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/InternationalRectalMicrobicideAdvocates, and you can follow us on Twitter: @rectalmicro.

*Also, please note that shared news items from other sources posted on this blog do not necessarily mean IRMA has taken any position on the article's content.

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Three Organisations Receive Support to Improve Lubricant Access in Africa

IRMA*, amfAR*, and AVAC* are delighted to announce that IRMA Nigeria (in partnership with International Center on Advocacy for the Right to Health), Stop AIDS in Liberia (SAIL), and an organisation in Zambia** have been awarded Global Lube Access Mobilisation (GLAM) funding to campaign for access to safe, condom-compatible lubricants in their communities.

Throughout the world, and especially in Africa, safe, condom-compatible lubricant (water- and silicone-based) is inaccessible for most people who engage in anal intercourse.  It is also inaccessible for women who engage in vaginal intercourse.  A number of analyses in various settings indicate that the use of oil-based products is the most common form of lubrication - and is known to significantly reduce condom effectiveness.  Faced with the lack of condom-compatible lubricants, people often resort to such products as body lotion, soap, cooking oil, spit, pre-cum, antibiotic creams, and even motor oil to provide lubrication during anal intercourse. This lack of appropriate lubricant products for people who practice anal and vaginal intercourse is unacceptable, when we know that they can keep condoms from breaking and slipping.

In December 2012, IRMA, amfAR, and AVAC launched "The GLAM Toolkit - Advocacy to improve access to safe, condom-compatible lubricant in Africa, Version 1.0".  The Toolkit is available here and offers tools and ideas for civil society and government partners to secure affordable and sustainable condom-compatible lubricant.  Tools include a fact sheet, case studies, the results of a review of African National and Strategic Plans on HIV/AIDS, and a list of proposed advocacy activities.

After the Toolkit launch, the group released a request for proposals targeted to community advocates and organisations in Africa interested in improving lube access.  Eighteen proposals were submitted from 11 African countries.

IRMA Nigeria, SAIL, and a Zambian organisation received the highest scores in a thorough evaluation process and began their lube access advocacy projects in April.  We wish them the best, and will keep you apprised of their efforts.  It is the hope the other groups will be able to learn from their work, and that one day all Africans who need safe, condom-compatible lubricants have easy, unfettered access to these critical commodities.

In the meantime, download a copy of the GLAM Toolkit to see what activities you can implement now in your own community.  Charting a course now for condom-compatible lube will assist in reducing the spread of HIV and other STIs, as well as pave the way for the eventuality of rectal microbicide access.

Learn more about GLAM here.

*IRMA - International Rectal Microbicide Advocates
*amfAR - The Foundation for AIDS Research
*AVAC - Global Advocacy for HIV Prevention

**At the request of the grantee, the organisation wishes to remain anonymous.

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*Join IRMA's robust, highly-active. moderated, global listserv addressing rectal microbicide research and advocacy as well as other interesting new HIV prevention technologies by contacting us at rectalmicro@gmail.com. Joining our listserv automatically makes you a member of IRMA - a network of more than 1,100 advocates, scientists, policy makers and funders from all over the world.

*Please look for us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/InternationalRectalMicrobicideAdvocates, and you can follow us on Twitter: @rectalmicro.

*Also, please note that shared news items from other sources posted on this blog do not necessarily mean IRMA has taken any position on the article's content.

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IRIN PlusNews: Lack of lube hurts HIV prevention

via IRIN PlusNews

“Key populations - such as MSM and sex workers - who need the lubricant the most, often get their health-related services from local NGOs, which are not often included in [HIV/AIDS] policies or broader [health] programmes,” explained Bidia Deperthes, a senior HIV adviser with UNFPA’s Comprehensive Condom Programming division in New York.

KATHMANDU, 21 February 2013 (PlusNews) - Safer-sex messaging on condoms is universal but the generally poor availability of lubricants, and awareness of them, is hindering HIV prevention, health activists warn.

Some personal lubricant - or “lube”- has been shown to lower the risk of HIV transmission by decreasing the risk of condoms breaking.

Despite preliminary proof of lube’s efficacy, far less of the product is procured and distributed than condoms, leading people to use alternative, sometimes harmful, substances during intercourse such as butter or petroleum jelly; oil-based lubricants weaken latex, making the condom more likely to break.

Activists say, however, that a blind spot in research on lubricants as a part of HIV prevention programmes means not enough is known about their impact on HIV risk.

Read the rest.

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*Join IRMA's robust, highly-active. moderated, global listserv addressing rectal microbicide research and advocacy as well as other interesting new HIV prevention technologies by contacting us at rectalmicro@gmail.com. Joining our listserv automatically makes you a member of IRMA - a network of more than 1,100 advocates, scientists, policy makers and funders from all over the world.

*Please look for us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/InternationalRectalMicrobicideAdvocates, and you can follow us on Twitter: @rectalmicro.

  *Also, please note that shared news items from other sources posted on this blog do not necessarily mean IRMA has taken any position on the article's content.

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Introducing the GLAM Toolkit: Advocacy to improve lubricant access in Africa

Today, IRMA,  in collaboration with amfAR and AVAC, is delighted to officially release Version 1.0 of The GLAM Toolkit: Advocacy to improve access to safe, condom-compatible lubricant in Africa.

The Toolkit provides background on the status of lubricant (lube) access in Africa and strategies for civil society and government partners to secure and distribute sustainable supplies of safe, condom-compatible lube. Global Lube Access Mobilisation (GLAM) is a campaign of IRMA’s Project ARM (Africa for Rectal Microbicides) initiative.

It is also available on the IRMA blog here (where you can also learn more about Project ARM.)

And can be downloaded here as well.

Condom- compatible lube is associated with a decreased risk of condoms breaking or slipping. Simply put, condoms work better with condom-compatible lube, especially during anal intercourse. That said, men, women and transgender individuals - whether they have anal interourse, vaginal intercourse, or both, need and want safe, condom-compatible lube.

However, throughout the world, and particularly in Africa, condom-compatible lubricant is inaccessible for most people. The GLAM Toolkit (Version 1.0) is designed to encourage advocates to engage Ministries of Health, UN agencies, funders, non-governmental organizations, and other partners to make the provision and distribution of safe, condom-compatible lubricant a priority by positioning lubricant as an absolute necessity, along with male and female condoms.

The Toolkit contains six sections including:

·         Background and introduction
·         Lubricant—Basic Facts on Access and Safety
·         Review of African National Strategic Plans on Inclusion of Lubricant
·         Lube Procurement National Case Studies
·         Findings from Survey on Lube Distribution and Access
·         Advocacy Steps for Improving Access to Lubricant

As the Toolkit is a “living” document, it will be updated regularly by IRMA and partners to keep it timely and relevant. Hence, this Version 1.0 will be replaced by updated versions as the work progresses with new information to report. Please share your successes.

And remember, when you hear anyone say the word "condoms" - we say AND LUBE!

PS - While The GLAM Toolkit is focused on Africa and is embedded in our Project ARM initiative, we recognize that lube access is a serious issue all over the world. The ideas in the Toolkit can and should be adapted for other contexts - and we hope you will do that in yours. We also hope to secure resources to expand our lubricant access work beyond Africa. Stay tuned. And Lube!

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*Join IRMA's robust, highly-active. moderated, global listserv addressing rectal microbicide research and advocacy as well as other interesting new HIV prevention technologies by contacting us at rectalmicro@gmail.com. Joining our listserv automatically makes you a member of IRMA - a network of more than 1,100 advocates, scientists, policy makers and funders from all over the world.

*Please look for us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/InternationalRectalMicrobicideAdvocates, and you can follow us on Twitter: @rectalmicro. *Also, please note that shared news items from other sources posted on this blog do not necessarily mean IRMA has taken any position on the article's content.

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Anal health is not just a gay issue: Women need rectal microbicides too

via Citizen News Service, by Bobby Ramakant

"It is high time that anal health and hygiene comes out of the closet" said Dr Ross Cranston from University of Pittsburgh, USA. Dr Cranston was referring to the multitude of anal health complications people practicing receptive anal sex are likely to be dealing with in their lives and very little quality care and products that exist to relieve them. The awareness level in people (women, men, transgender women) who reported to practice receptive anal sex was abysmally low.

Zero per cent of such respondents had knowledge related to their anal cancer risk, and just half of them knew about Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV - the virus that causes genital herpes). Awareness certainly needs to be upped in people practicing receptive anal sex.

 

Read the rest.

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*Join IRMA's robust, highly-active. moderated, global listserv addressing rectal microbicide research and advocacy as well as other interesting new HIV prevention technologies by contacting us at rectalmicro@gmail.com. Joining our listserv automatically makes you a member of IRMA - a network of more than 1,100 advocates, scientists, policy makers and funders from all over the world.

*Please look for us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/InternationalRectalMicrobicideAdvocates, and you can follow us on Twitter: @rectalmicro.

*Also, please note that shared news items from other sources posted on this blog do not necessarily mean IRMA has taken any position on the article's content.
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[Project ARM] GLAM Lube Distribution Survey

via Survey Monkey, for [Project ARM] GLAM Lube Distribution Survey

Thank you for taking a few minutes to complete this survey on lubricant distribution in your country.

International Rectal Microbicide Advocates (IRMA) has launched a special initiative called "Project ARM - Africa for Rectal Microbicides" to ensure rectal microbicide research and advocacy are on the African map.

The top priority of Project ARM is lube access for people who engage in anal intercourse.

Condoms and safe, condom-compatible lubricant should be used during anal intercourse to provide protection against HIV and other STDs. Safe, condom-compatible lubricants are also used by many women who desire extra lubrication during vaginal intercourse. Condoms used without proper lubricant can break.

With partners amfAR and AVAC, Project ARM has developed the GLAM campaign (Global Lube Access Mobilisation) in an effort to improve access to safe, condom-compatible lubes for individuals in Africa and other countries where lube access is poor.

Your answers to these questions will inform a "tool kit" that is being developed to support lube access advocacy and implementation.

Access the survey here.


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*Join IRMA's robust, highly-active. moderated, global listserv addressing rectal microbicide research and advocacy as well as other interesting new HIV prevention technologies by contacting us at rectalmicro@gmail.com. Joining our listserv automatically makes you a member of IRMA - a network of more than 1,100 advocates, scientists, policy makers and funders from all over the world.

*Please look for us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/InternationalRectalMicrobicideAdvocates, and you can follow us on Twitter: @rectalmicro.

*Also, please note that shared news items from other sources posted on this blog do not necessarily mean IRMA has taken any position on the article's content.
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AIDS 2012 And Lube

via Windy City Times, by Jim Pickett


For seven, long, long days I dove into the deep end of the madness that was the International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2012) and various ancillary meetings held in Washington, D.C., last week. It was a mad, mad world of 20,000 plus people from every corner of the planet running to and from non-stop sessions, talks, organizing, networking, marches, protests and talking, talking, talking and noise, noise, noise.

Complete saturation of information, sensory, and emotional overload—by the end my brain felt like a wet sponge that couldn't take on one more drop. And that says nothing about the DC heat and humidity that made the rest of you soggy as well.

I contributed to that all that talking and organizing and noise, taking advantage of the world's largest AIDS gathering to help launch a new effort from the global network of more than 1,200 members I chair called IRMA (International Rectal Microbicide Advocates.) We've identified the critical need for advocacy around access to safe, condom-compatible lube in Africa as part of our new Project ARM—Africa for Rectal Microbicides initiative. Most Africans don't have access to safe, condom-compatible lube.

Condoms and no lube is a terrible great combination when it comes to anal sex. Vaginas have the ability to self-lubricate—our anuses and rectums need a little help from a friend to help ease entry and keep the condom intact. Because there is a paucity of appropriate lubricants in Africa, many people who have anal sex are using things like avocado oil, yogurt, Vaseline, even motor oil—or no lube at all.

The Project ARM effort seeks to ensure that Africa is fully engaged in rectal microbicide research and advocacy so that Africans who have anal sex are central to the development of safe, effective, and acceptable rectal microbicides (which may be produced as lubes with anti-HIV qualities.) Late last year, a group of African advocates and allies met in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and strategized a set of priority actions to help pave the way for Africa to be on the rectal microbicide map. The highest priority action the group identified was far and away the issue of lube access. Rectal microbicides are about a decade away from being available—lube access needs to happen now … since it's already too late for yesterday.

Read the rest.


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*Join IRMA's robust, highly-active. moderated, global listserv addressing rectal microbicide research and advocacy as well as other interesting new HIV prevention technologies by contacting us at rectalmicro@gmail.com. Joining our listserv automatically makes you a member of IRMA - a network of more than 1,100 advocates, scientists, policy makers and funders from all over the world.

*Please look for us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/InternationalRectalMicrobicideAdvocates, and you can follow us on Twitter: @rectalmicro.

*Also, please note that shared news items from other sources posted on this blog do not necessarily mean IRMA has taken any position on the article's content.
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Project ARM: Addressing HIV prevention needs of those practicing anal sex

[Citizen News Service and IRMA are collaborating to amplify rectal microbicide research and advocacy, as well as IRMA-led initiatives, throughout AIDS 2012, and after.]

via Citizen News Service, by Bobby Ramakant

Excerpt:

"Project ARM was started by the International Rectal Microbicides Advocates (IRMA) two years ago to make sure that as the HIV prevention field moves ahead for research and development of rectal microbicides, these products [when eventually made available] are safe, accessible, and affordable to the people who need them [in African context]. There was a realization that we need to do some specific work in Africa in context that there are many countries where anal sex is illegal, people can be prosecuted and there is lot of [anal sex related] stigma and discrimination too" said Marc-Andre LeBlanc, IRMA Secretary.

Added Marc-Andre LeBlanc: "We were inspired by the work of IRMA Nigeria. IRMA Nigeria was started in 2008. So it was obvious that some specific work could be done around rectal microbicides such as some groups have been looking at MSM issues in African context. Project ARM was born out of the growing need to create a research and advocacy agenda for rectal microbicides in Africa. Project ARM shows us what are the priorities in terms of research, advocacy and community mobilization around rectal microbicides in African context. One of the priorities that came out of Project ARM discussions was lube access. The reason was that people who practice anal sex cannot access lubricants. What makes us think rectal microbicides will be anymore accessible whenever introduced in future?"

Read the rest.


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*Join IRMA's robust, highly-active. moderated, global listserv addressing rectal microbicide research and advocacy as well as other interesting new HIV prevention technologies by contacting us at rectalmicro@gmail.com. Joining our listserv automatically makes you a member of IRMA - a network of more than 1,100 advocates, scientists, policy makers and funders from all over the world.

*Please look for us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/InternationalRectalMicrobicideAdvocates, and you can follow us on Twitter: @rectalmicro.

*Also, please note that shared news items from other sources posted on this blog do not necessarily mean IRMA has taken any position on the article's content.

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Lubes a Key Priority in Africa

[Citizen News Service and IRMA are collaborating to amplify rectal microbicide research and advocacy, as well as IRMA-led initiatives, throughout AIDS 2012.]

via Citizen News Service, by Chief K Masimba Biriwasha

Condom-compatible lubes are a rarity in Africa forcing transgender women, gay men and other men who have sex with men (MSM) and heterosexual populations that engage in anal sex to utilize alternative methods that potentially exposes them to a range of sexually transmitted infections including HIV, the virus which causes AIDS. Following a meeting of Africa for Rectal Microbicides (Project ARM) held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in December 2011, participants decided to create the Global Lube Access Mobilization (GLAM) initiative to support increased access and availability of condom-compatible lubes throughout the world, beginning with a focus on Africa, employing the tagline "And Lube!"

This tag-line "And Lube!" reminds people to distribute condoms 'and [condom compatible] lube' to make anal sex safer and more comfortable. At the two-day meet, held at the International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Africa (ICASA), initiated by the International Rectal Microbicide Advocates (IRMA) in partnership with AVAC - Global Advocacy for HIV Prevention, participants acknowledge lubricants, or "lube" that can be used with condoms are a key priority for safer anal sex.

"There is a need for lube which is condom safe in many parts of Africa - when you're talking about HIV prevention among men who have sex with men (MSM), it's about condoms and lube," said Kent Klindera, Director, MSM Initiative at amfAR, in an exclusive interview with Citizen News Service.

Read the rest.


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*Join IRMA's robust, highly-active. moderated, global listserv addressing rectal microbicide research and advocacy as well as other interesting new HIV prevention technologies by contacting us at rectalmicro@gmail.com. Joining our listserv automatically makes you a member of IRMA - a network of more than 1,100 advocates, scientists, policy makers and funders from all over the world.

*Please look for us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/InternationalRectalMicrobicideAdvocates, and you can follow us on Twitter: @rectalmicro.

*Also, please note that shared news items from other sources posted on this blog do not necessarily mean IRMA has taken any position on the article's content.
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Slides from "Rectal Microbicides - Making HIV Prevention Gel" satellite session at AIDS 2012

Earlier today at the International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2012), IRMA co-hosted a well-attended satellite session on rectal microbicides with their partners Microbicide Trials Network (MTN) and AVAC.

Ian McGowan from the MTN and Jim Pickett from IRMA presented on the science and advocacy (respectively) and were then joined by panelists from the United States, Kenya, and South Africa (Damon Humes, Rig Rush, Mitchell Warren, Carol Odada and Brian Kanyemba) for a conversation with the attendees.

Ronald Johnson of AIDS United moderated.

Below you will find Ian and Jim's slides.

The Science of Rectal Microbicides Can We Make Them And Will People Use Them? 

Rectal Microbicide Advocacy From Here to There... And Especially in Places Where the Sun  

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*Join IRMA's robust, highly-active. moderated, global listserv addressing rectal microbicide research and advocacy as well as other interesting new HIV prevention technologies by contacting us at rectalmicro@gmail.com. Joining our listserv automatically makes you a member of IRMA - a network of more than 1,100 advocates, scientists, policy makers and funders from all over the world.

*Please look for us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/InternationalRectalMicrobicideAdvocates, and you can follow us on Twitter: @rectalmicro.

  *Also, please note that shared news items from other sources posted on this blog do not necessarily mean IRMA has taken any position on the article's content.

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Sunday at AIDS 2012 - Join Us For "Rectal Microbicides: Making HIV Prevention Gel"

Please join IRMA and friends for this rectally riveting satellite session at AIDS 2012 - scheduled for Sunday, July 22 from 3:45 - 5:45pm in Mini Room 8 in the Convention Center.

Get the latest news on rectal microbicides - from the scientific and advocacy fronts - and meet the stars from the video "The Rectal Revolution is Here."

More info in the postcard below - click to enlarge.

Click to enlarge

The Bottom Line is this - you don't want to miss it. We hope to see you there.

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*Join IRMA's robust, highly-active. moderated, global listserv addressing rectal microbicide research and advocacy as well as other interesting new HIV prevention technologies by contacting us at rectalmicro@gmail.com. Joining our listserv automatically makes you a member of IRMA - a network of more than 1,100 advocates, scientists, policy makers and funders from all over the world.

*Please look for us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/InternationalRectalMicrobicideAdvocates, and you can follow us on Twitter: @rectalmicro.

*Also, please note that shared news items from other sources posted on this blog do not necessarily mean IRMA has taken any position on the article's content.

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Safe, Condom-Compatible Lube 4 All!

Throughout the world, and especially in Africa, safe, condom-compatible lubricant is inaccessible for most people who engage in anal intercourse. Making lubes more accessible is a cornerstone of IRMA's Project ARM - Africa for Rectal Microbicides initiative.

Read more about our efforts to expand the availability and accessibility of safe, condom-compatible lubricant here.

And if you are going to AIDS 2012 - look for IRMA. We'll be wearing stickers like the one below - and handing them out to everyone!

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  *Join IRMA's robust, highly-active. moderated, global listserv addressing rectal microbicide research and advocacy as well as other interesting new HIV prevention technologies by contacting us at rectalmicro@gmail.com. Joining our listserv automatically makes you a member of IRMA - a network of more than 1,100 advocates, scientists, policy makers and funders from all over the world.

*Please look for us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/InternationalRectalMicrobicideAdvocates, and you can follow us on Twitter: @rectalmicro.

  *Also, please note that shared news items from other sources posted on this blog do not necessarily mean IRMA has taken any position on the article's content. -------------------

Meet Carol - a Friendly Rectal Microbicide Advocate

Check out this interesting mini-bio of Carol Odada, the latest in IRMA's "Meet a Friendly Rectal Microbicide Advocate" series on the IRMA website here.  Carol is one of six new bios just posted yesterday, including individuals from Thailand, Kenya and the US.  Each will be featured on the blog, and you can read all of them here right now.



Carol Odada
Nairobi, Kenya

"I stand out strongly as a women's rights champion, and am quite steadfast on the human need for rectal microbicides."

Carol received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Eastern Africa. Since graduating, she has focused on social work, and has helped to develop and implement care and support programs for people living with HIV. She currently works in biomedical HIV prevention research advocacy, and enjoys advocating for women's rights and sexual health rights.

Carol became involved with IRMA when the topic of rectal microbicides was still a relatively new in Kenya. In December of 2011, Carol was one of a number of African leaders who joined IRMA for a two-day strategy meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia that took place in advance of the 16th International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa. The meeting officially launched IRMA's Project ARM - Africa for Rectal Microbicides initiative. IRMA recently released a report from that meeting called "On The Map: Ensuring Africa's Place in Rectal Microbicide Research and Advocacy" recommending a set of priority actions for IRMA and allies to better engage Africans across the continent in rectal microbicide activities. Carol played a very important role in helping define those strategies. Learn more about Project ARM, and read the report, here.

She understands that different prevention strategies need to be developed to provide sexual health to the world's population and that rectal microbicides will provide a new tool for women and men regardless of sexual orientation. Specifically, she educates women, young and old, about anal sex.

Currently, Carol is working on a collaboration between AVAC and ATHENA Network called WHiPT - Women's HIV Prevention Tracking Project.

She will soon be a featured speaker in the satellite session "Rectal Microbicides: Making HIV Prevention Gel" at the International AIDS Conference in Washington, DC with other members of IRMA and allies. The session is taking place in the afternoon on Sunday, July 22, 2012 - more info on this event can be found here.

Carol encourages IRMA to keep pushing forward, and believes that a day will come when all of the group's collective work and efforts are fully appreciated.

HIV has taught her to value every person and every opinion. And her five-year-old daughter gives her a reason to wake up and work hard every day. Because of her daughter's influence, she strives to be a better person and tries to give back to the community as much as she can.

Thank you, Carol, for all that you do!


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*Join IRMA's robust, highly-active. moderated, global listserv addressing rectal microbicide research and advocacy as well as other interesting new HIV prevention technologies by contacting us at rectalmicro@gmail.com. Joining our listserv automatically makes you a member of IRMA - a network of more than 1,100 advocates, scientists, policy makers and funders from all over the world.

*Please look for us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/InternationalRectalMicrobicideAdvocates, and you can follow us on Twitter: @rectalmicro.

*Also, please note that shared news items from other sources posted on this blog do not necessarily mean IRMA has taken any position on the article's content.
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Get Your Rectal Road Map to AIDS 2012

The AIDS 2012 Rectal Road Map put together by IRMA is a quick guide to rectal microbicide-related research and advocacy content + other selected sessions of interest at the upcoming International AIDS Conference in Washington, DC.

Check it out - and use it to plan your conference activities with a rectal lens!Mama IRMA hopes to see you at many of these interesting sessions...

IRMA's Rectal Road Map

Click "View on slideshare" - bottom left of the document - to download a copy of the Road Map.

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*Join IRMA's robust, highly-active. moderated, global listserv addressing rectal microbicide research and advocacy as well as other interesting new HIV prevention technologies by contacting us at rectalmicro@gmail.com. Joining our listserv automatically makes you a member of IRMA - a network of more than 1,100 advocates, scientists, policy makers and funders from all over the world.

 *Please look for us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/InternationalRectalMicrobicideAdvocates, and you can follow us on Twitter: @rectalmicro.

*Also, please note that shared news items from other sources posted on this blog do not necessarily mean IRMA has taken any position on the article's content. -------------------

Meet Peter - A Friendly Rectal Microbicide Advocate from Kenya

Check out this interesting mini-bio of Peter Michira, the latest IRMA's "Meet a Friendly Rectal Microbicide Advocate" series on the IRMA website here.  Peter is one of six new bios just posted yesterday, including individuals from Thailand, India, the UK, the US and Argentina. Each will be featured on the blog, and you can read all of them here right now.




Peter Michira
Thika, Kenya

"Unprotected anal sex is one of the most efficent modes of HIV transmission, yet it is clouded by myths, stigma and silence."

Peter is an IRMA Advocate and works as the field coordinator for the Partners PrEP study in Thika, which is one of the nine sites located in East Africa. Peter loves working with his community and sharing and learning knowledge from his interactions with people. He also enjoys reading about new interventions and learning more about the best community practices. Peter socializes with his friends and family, and loves watching football.

Peter first became involved with IRMA after attending the Project ARM - Africa for Rectal Microbicides strategy meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He was one of 16 individuals who received scholarships to attend, earning his spot to attend through a very competitive process that included 145 applicants. Using the new Project Arm strategy document, "On The Map: Ensuring Africa's Place in Rectal Microbicide Research and Advocacy," Peter works to sensitize various community and health workers on the need to integrate safe anal-sex communication into HIV prevention activities. He also informs the community about the importance of an effective rectal microbicide, something that could prevent many infections among men, women, and transgender individuals.

Peter's advice for IRMA is to keep the fire burning. Knowledge is power, and Peter insists on the continuous sharing of information.

Peter's biggest influence has come from the community's reaction and reception to new practical ideas. He has been inspired by the knowledge base and realization that communities are equal partners in HIV prevention.

Thank you Peter for all that you do!


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*Join IRMA's robust, highly-active. moderated, global listserv addressing rectal microbicide research and advocacy as well as other interesting new HIV prevention technologies by contacting us at rectalmicro@gmail.com. Joining our listserv automatically makes you a member of IRMA - a network of more than 1,100 advocates, scientists, policy makers and funders from all over the world.

*Please look for us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/InternationalRectalMicrobicideAdvocates, and you can follow us on Twitter: @rectalmicro.

*Also, please note that shared news items from other sources posted on this blog do not necessarily mean IRMA has taken any position on the article's content.
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IRMA Recruiting Advocates to Advance African Rectal Microbicide Agenda

Want to Advance Rectal Microbicide Research and Advocacy in Africa?

Then IRMA wants YOU

Now that IRMA's Project ARM (Africa for Rectal Microbicides) has developed a roadmap for Africa-focused rectal microbicide research and advocacy priorities - embodied in our wonderful new report On the Map: Ensuring Africa's Plance in Rectal Microbicide Research and Advocacy  - we are now inviting new folks into the Project ARM group who are interested in helping us move our priority actions forward in Africa.

IRMA's Project ARM is looking for interested African advocates, scientists and other colleagues - and global allies - who are interested in ensuring that rectal microbicide research and advocacy is prioritized in Africa. We will be working on the 7 priority actions outlined in the new report mentioned above.

Please give that document a good read :)

If you are interested, please take these ACTION STEPS.

ACTION STEPS

1. Please send an introductory email to rectalmicro@gmail.com - and we will send you an invite to join the Project ARM Google Group. The group is currently comprised of those individuals who participated in the 2-day strategy meeting we held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia this past December - about 40 folks right now.
2. In your introductory note, please tell us a few things about yourself - Who are you? Where do you work? Why are you interested in helping with Project ARM?
3. Please note that you will need to have a Google account to be part of the Project ARM Google Group.You don't need a Google email address, but you do need to sign up for a Google account. Without a Google account, you can't access the group

IRMA is VERY EXCITED about moving the Project ARM agenda forward  - and we all look forward to embracing a bunch of new, smart, savvy, and marvelous new blood to help us do that.

Send that introductory email now! 

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*Join IRMA's robust, highly-active. moderated, global listserv addressing rectal microbicide research and advocacy as well as other interesting new HIV prevention technologies by contacting us at rectalmicro@gmail.com. Joining our listserv automatically makes you a member of IRMA - a network of more than 1,100 advocates, scientists, policy makers and funders from all over the world.

*Also, please note that shared news items from other sources posted on this blog do not necessarily mean IRMA has taken any position on the article's content.

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Project ARM's new report - now available on Issuu

"On the Map: Ensuring Africa’s Place in Rectal Microbicide Research and Advocacy" is the result of an intensive two-day consultation conducted by IRMA with over 40 Africans and allies that took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in early December 2011. It calls for a set of activities related to research and community mobilization designed to fully engage Africans, including a Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviours study on anal sex, advocacy for increased condom-compatible lubricant access, and communication and education activities - all part of Project ARM - Africa for Rectal Microbicides. If you are interested in helping IRMA in our African efforts, please contact us at rectalmicro@gmail.com.

Open publication


[If an item is not written by an IRMA member, it should not be construed that IRMA has taken a position on the article's content, whether in support or in opposition.]

Rectal microbicides become a high priority in the fight against HIV in Africa

IRMA launches African-inspired, African-led initiative that says 'yes' to rectal microbicides

SYDNEY – Today IRMA (International Rectal Microbicide Advocates) will officially release "On the Map: Ensuring Africa's Place in Rectal Microbicide Research and Advocacy" at a special evening reception at the international Microbicides 2012 conference at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Center.

The report can be found here.

A cornerstone of IRMA's Project ARM (Africa for Rectal Microbicides) initiative, the strategy document developed by African advocates, researchers, and global allies outlines priority actions to ensure Africa fully engages in rectal microbicide research and advocacy activities, including the integration of safe anal-sex messaging into HIV prevention programs.

"For far too long the operating principle concerning the HIV epidemic in Africa has been that it is solely heterosexual, and that sexual transmission is entirely driven by unprotected vaginal intercourse between men and women," said Jim Pickett, IRMA chair. "But an increasing body of evidence tells us quite clearly that unprotected anal intercourse is happening all across the continent – amongst heterosexuals as well as gay men, other men who have sex with men (MSM), and transgender individuals. Unprotected anal intercourse is not uncommon in Africa," he continued, "and compared to unprotected vaginal intercourse, it is 10 to 20 times more likely to result in HIV infection. We absolutely need to be concerned about this."

"We still face significant hurdles regarding human rights for gay men, MSM, and transgender individuals in Africa, but the collective, long-term efforts of advocates and scientists are indeed lifting the denial around anal sex in the African context," said Morenike Ukpong, New HIV Vaccines and Microbicides Advocacy Society in Nigeria, IRMA member, and one of the chief architects of the Project ARM strategy. "Great efforts have long been underway to develop safe and effective vaginal microbicides for African women. We need the same level of commitment and resources for the development of safe, effective, acceptable and accessible rectal microbicides for Africans regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation."

"Our diverse sexualities in Africa shouldn't be defined only by the prevention tools we have available. HIV prevention tools must be adapted to our sexualities." – Alliance Nikuze, Rwanda, IRMA member, as quoted in the report.

"On the Map: Ensuring Africa's Place in Rectal Microbicide Research and Advocacy" is the result of an intensive two-day consultation conducted with over 40 Africans and allies that took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in early December 2011. It calls for a set of activities related to research and community mobilization designed to fully engage Africans, including a Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviours study on anal sex, advocacy for increased condom-compatible lubricant access, and communication and education activities.

Even as this report is being released, Africa has already made great strides in rectal microbicide research and advocacy. A global Phase II rectal microbicide trial looking at tenofovir gel in gay men and transgender women, planned by the Microbicide Trials Network (MTN), includes the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation in Cape Town, South Africa as one of its clinical trial sites.

As IRMA member and Desmond Tutu research assistant Brian Kanyemba says in the report, "I am incredibly proud to say we will be the very first African trial site for a rectal microbicide study. I hope the field will conduct rectal microbicide research in other African countries as well as South Africa!"

"Africans need rectal microbicides and they need to be part of the advocacy, research and development processes that are essential to creating products that are not only safe and effective but acceptable and accessible too. I pledge our full support for the efforts of Project ARM." – Dr. Ian McGowan, United States, MTN co-principal investigator and IRMA Scientific Vice Chair, as quoted in the report.

Funding and in-kind support for the launch of Project ARM and the development of "On the Map: Ensuring Africa's Place in Rectal Microbicide Research and Advocacy" was provided by the National Institutes of Health – Office of AIDS Research, the New Venture Fund, AVAC, and AIDS Foundation of Chicago.

The reception will take place in the Advocates' Corner 17/4/12 from 17:30 – 18:30 (AEST).


[If an item is not written by an IRMA member, it should not be construed that IRMA has taken a position on the article's content, whether in support or in opposition.]