Centre for Gender Sexuality and HIV/AIDS: A UNAIDS Collaborating Centre
Coordinator, Dr. Sabina Faiz Rashid
Through a formal agreement between UNAIDS and the BRAC University School of Public Health (BSPH), the Centre is designated for research, policy, advocacy and training activities utilizing the
state-of-the-art methods and technologies of teaching/learning and providing unique opportunities in hands
- on field experience in dealing with gender, sexuality, and HIV/AIDS in Bangladesh and other developing countries.
Vision
Empowering Bangladesh and in the process other resource poor countries in overcoming gender inequalities and inequities, ensuring sexuality and rights and controlling and combating HIV/AIDS.
Mission
To expand the knowledge base and enhance /strengthen policy and programmatic interventions in the arena of gender, sexuality and HIV/AIDS in Bangladesh in all its
dimensions-social, cultural, economic, political and environmental
- from a holistic perspective.
Major Objectives
i. Creation and generation of knowledge: Multi disciplinary research to highlight the nature implications and the socio-political dynamics of gender, sexuality/sexual rights and HIV/AIDS as well as innovative policies/ interventions in addressing these issues.
ii. Promoting a creative discourse on gender, sexuality and HIV/AIDS: Providing a space for experts, academics, researchers, practitioners and policy makers to come together to generate new ideas through open discourse on gender, sexuality/sexual rights and HIV/AIDS in resource poor settings.
iii. Dissemination of information, experience and knowledge on gender, sexuality and HIV/AIDS: Organizing seminars, workshops and conferences to widely disseminate knowledge and information among all stakeholders nationally, regionally and globally.
iv. Building Network and Partnership: Actively collaborate and work with other centres, agencies and organization across countries and cultures to promote the Centre's vision and mission through building networks and partnerships.
v. Advocacy for Change: Interacting with policymakers and other stakeholders to promote change in policy, programme and interventions aimed at further enriching the lives of the poor and the marginalized populations suffering from gender discrimination, sexual/sexual rights violations and threatened and/or affected by HIV/AIDS.
vi. Capacity Building : Organize short courses and training programmes aimed at building/further enhancing the capacity of communities, planners, programmers, researchers, policymakers as well as advocacy groups in addressing effectively multifarious issues underlying gender, sexuality /sexual rights and HIV/AIDS .
Principles of Operation
Following the philosophy and principles of BRAC and the BRAC School of Public Health, the Centre will be:
Upholding the universal principles of human rights and gender equality;
Inclusive in its approach embracing all irrespective of their socio-economic status, gender,culture, religious beliefs, sexuality and sexual orientation, political ideology and individual
opinions;
Following a holistic perspective that underscores the complex pathways linking gender and socioeconomic, cultural, political and environmental factors to HIV/AIDS in all its dimensions;
Adopting a multidisciplinary approach that values the role of social and behavioural sciences
along with clinical and other health sciences in better understanding and addressing gender,
sexuality and HIV/AIDS issues;
Nurturing a team spirit that invites, work with and build networks/partnerships with other centres, agencies and organizations focusing on gender, sexuality and HIV/AIDS.
The Centre will combine research, advocacy and policy/programme development in three distinct, but often interrelated areas.
Gender
The Centre as well as the School will follow a gender-based approach to public health by integrating gender perspectives and ensuring that the different needs of women and men are considered at all stages of research, training, advocacy, policy and programme development. The ultimate goal is to achieve gender equality and equity in society.
Sexuality
Sexuality and sexual rights are an important emerging issue, although relatively underdeveloped from a conceptual, and operational and policy perspective in Bangladesh. It is critical to develop a framework and agenda from the perspective of interventions through public health, law and social policy. The School plans to provide training, advocacy and conduct research to build awareness of the interface between sexuality and rights and sexual health.
HIV/AIDS
The School will lead a series of research on HIV/AIDS policy and programme activities. The dissemination will highlight critical areas and influence programmatic investments. The School also plans to act as a convener for HIV/AIDS education outreach initiative with the UN team. The team will carry forward the internship programme for interested students the trainees will act as a source of information for their peers.
1. UNAIDS Research
- HIV/AIDS review of situation in Bangladesh
- Stigma and Discrimination of HIV + people (national mapping)
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Internship program (3 months at UNAIDS) - MPH students from private and public universities are competitively selected and placed at UNAIDS for a period of 3 months
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Annual Public Lecture Series - organized annually for all students at BRAC, other private universities and public universities on HIV/AIDS issues
-
Seminar Series - MPH students in the James P Grant School of Public Health receive lectures on HIV/AIDS issues (invited guests, visiting faculty)
-
Dissemination and Advocacy activities
2. Realizing Rights: Improving Sexual and Reproductive Health for poor and Vulnerable Population (DFID funded 2005-2010)Universal Access
- Neglected Male/Female Sexual Health Conditions and Access to providers in Bangladesh
- Sexuality and Rights
-
Exploratory research on Sexuality and Rights in Dhaka City
-
Conferences (International Conference)
-
Workshops (Brainstorming Session)
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Training (funded by DFID and IWHC, New York)
- Gender based violence
3.
Improvement of reproductive health (NIPORT)
This is a nation-wide project which is funded by National Institute of Population Research and Training (NIPORT). The main objectives of this project is to undertake research studies for improvement of the reproductive health of the most vulnerable groups including women, children and the poor to find out ways of providing appropriate services and interventions.
This project is using an integrated approach using both qualitative and quantitative methods to conduct the studies. The research is being conducted by JPGSPH, BRAC University. The quantitative component will cover over 300 clusters throughout Bangladesh, which includes rural, urban slums and ethnic populations while the qualitative study will be done in 8 selective clusters.
The project started in April, 2008 and is currently undergoing field research and data processing and analysis.
