On November 15-16, Yanina Stemkovskaya, UnMode representative in Ukraine, took part in the COBATEST Network meeting, Barcelona, Spain.
The meeting was attended by leaders of organizations recognized as the most successful in the implementation of national advocacy and service projects for HIV prevention in Europe.
“We believe that every person can be a defender of their rights and the author of their own destiny. We have been doing it ourselves for many years and share our experience with other people,” says UnMode.
During the meeting, the organizers presented an overview of the COBATEST network report for 2021 and shared the experience of external organizations and networks. Particular attention this year was given to the discussion of the issue of assessing legal barriers to the provision of voluntary testing and counseling services in community centers and the provision of HIV self-testing services. Participants also discussed how the influence of Ukrainian and other refugees will affect services at the community level.
“Such a meeting is another reason to remind the leaders of Europe: it is time to look at the issue more globally. Successful prevention and treatment of HIV infection depends not only on the availability of medical services, but, first of all, on how well human rights are respected in countries. To what extent the exercise of their own rights, including the opportunity to defend their rights in court, is available to people from the so-called vulnerable groups of the population. We are convinced that not only medical services, but also justice can and should be available to every person regardless of his/her gender, race, age, religion, diseases, different life experiences, social status and financial status. We are here to remind you of this again,” says Yanina Stemkovskaya, UnMode representative in Ukraine.