Questions/Answers
Question 1
Please provide a brief summary of the initiative including the problems/challenges it addressed and the solutions that the initiative introduced (300 words maximum)
CUT partnered with HEAIDS and NACOSA (the sponsor) to initiate a MSM/LGBTI office (Men having sex with men/Lesbian Gay Bio sexual, Transgender and Intersex) on Campus. This was a 2 year program which ran in 14 Universities in South Africa, the programme started in January 2014 and ends on the 31ST March 2016. After funding ended CUT continued with the programme under the Wellness Centre. The MSM/LGBTI programme is the first of its kind in South African Higher Education Institution (HEI) Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) Programme contributed to the knowledge about student sexual behavior in the context of HIV transmission and worked to reduce risk-taking sexual behaviour, increase access to sexual health and HIV testing and create an enabling environment for MSM and LGBTI students.The MSM/LGBTI programme response to sexual risk behaviour and the high transmission of HIV amongst MSM, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender identifying students at HEIs. Despite being located within universities’ HIV/AIDS programmes, it proved to be comprehensive and cross-cutting.
a. What are the overall objectives of the initiative?
Please describe the overall objectives of the initiative (200 words maximum)
The objectives of MSM/LGBTI programme is to establish and strengthen MSM and LGBTI friendly health services on campus. To create a supportive environment for MSM/LGBTI students and staff to access health care. Main office activities were dialogues, risk reduction gathering /Support group, distribution of IEC material, lubricants and Condoms, HIV/Aids testing campaigns, referrals, advocacy campaigns, and sensitization sessions. Through dialogues creation of conversations around sexual diversity, conversation between gay identified, heterosexual students and staffs. Creating awareness, education on safer sex positive approach the messaging through distribution of information material, condom and lubricants. Creation of safe space whereby LGBTI or heterosexual students could consult or go for counselling with their partners.In the human rights frame work creating an environment for all MSM/LGBTI students and staff to feel safe and not be stigmatised and discriminated against.
b. How does the initiative fit within the selected category?
Please describe how the initiative is linked to the criteria of the category (200 words maximum)
Creating enabling environment for MSM/ LGBT students to access health service
Using advocacy and communication to promote an understanding of LGBT community with the aim of reducing stigma and discrimination.
Rights of LGBT students protected and promoted
Unpacking the importance of dismantling institutionalized heteronormativity by building agency for sexual and gender non normative students and staff.
Question 2
The initiative should improve people’s lives, notably by enhancing the contribution of public services to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the realization of the SDGs
a. Please explain how the initiative improves the delivery of public services (200 words maximum)
MSM/LGBTI students faces so many challenges when accessing health services and in societies were homosexuality id frown upon. This leads to them being discriminated and stigmatised when entering health services. MSM/LGBT programme improves life’s of LGBT students improves life by creating an enabling Environment for MSM/LGBTI Students and Staff to access health care through a Human Rights Based Approach. The programme advocates for MSM/LGBT students’ rights and for them to be treated equally when accessing health services and also within the institution. Reducing HIV infection rate amongst LGBT students through awareness, education on safer sex positive approach the messaging was done through distribution of information material, condom and lubricants. Building self-esteem of LGBT students and being able to be out about their sexual orientation.
Question 3
The initiative must impact positively a group or groups of the population (i.e. children, women, elderly, people with disability, etc) and address a significant issue of public service delivery within the context of a given country or region.
a. Please explain how the initiative has addressed a significant issue related to the delivery of public services (200 words maximum)
Dialogues were held in residences around the campus in a form of big debate and guest lectures.Through dialogues we opened conversations around sexual diversity, conversation between gay identified, heterosexual students and staffs, all dialogues were well attended.Creating awareness, education on safer sex positive approach the messaging was done through distribution of information material, condom and lubricants.Initially the programme was mainly for MSM/LGBTI students, eventually services were extended to all students due to increased demand of lubricants and condoms regard less of their sexual orientation.Platform was created where LGBTI or heterosexual students could consult the office with their partners.Creating a safe environment where gays and heterosexual students could talk openly about challenges they faced and referrals were done without the intervention of the coordinator. There is a relationship between the programme coordinator and LGBTI students.Wellness workers, wellness staff, medical Centre staff, residence managers and house committees went through a sensitization sessions, they were sensitized about sexual orientation.
b. Please explain how the initiative has impacted positively a group or groups of the population within the context of your country or region (200 words maximum)
LGBT student’s bravery and commitment to breaking down barriers and improving the lived experience of LGBTI students on campus is remarkable. Through MSM/LGBTI support groups students managed to build one another, expressed their needs and problems, where necessary referrals to psychologist and social workers were done.Every year LGBTI first years were joining the programme , the programme grew every year.The programme was not just for HIV testing and support to the students, but addressed the students fears to that extend that they felt like they were one big family and looking forward to the next support group or gathering.
Question 4
The initiative must present an innovative idea, a distinctively new approach, or a unique policy or approach implemented in order to realize the SDGs in the context of a given country or region.
a. Please explain in which way the initiative is innovative in the context of your country or region (200 words maximum)
The MSM/LGBTI programme is the first of its kind in South Africa, the Higher Education Institution (HEI) Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) Programme contributed to the knowledge about student sexual behaviour in the context of HIV transmission and worked to reduce risk-taking sexual behaviour, increase access to sexual health and HIV testing and create an enabling environment for MSM and LGBTI students.The MSM/LGBTI programme response to sexual risk behaviour and the high transmission of HIV amongst MSM, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender identifying students at HEIs. Despite being located within universities’ HIV/AIDS programmes, it proved to be comprehensive and cross-cutting.
Question 4b
b. Please describe if the innovation is original or if it is an adaptation from other contexts (If it is known)? (200 words maximum)
There are many programmes on MSM /LGBT community however this one was just unique because it was based in Universities and it was the first one to be implemented in South African Universities.
Question 4c
c. What resources (i.e. financial, human , material or other resources, etc) were used to implement the initiative? (200 words maximum)
MSM/LGBTI programme funded by Global Fund, and NACOSA was main recipient of the funding the Higher Education Institutions were the sub-recipients of the grant.
Institutions were responsible for implementing and pioneering the programme of which I was appointed as the programme coordinator. After the grant ended I continued with the programme voluntarily.
Question 5
The initiative should be adaptable to other contexts (e.g. other cities, countries or regions). There may already be evidence that it has inspired similar innovations in other public-sector institutions within a given country, region or at the global level.
a. Has the initiative been transferred to other contexts?
Yes
After the NACOSA grants ended some institutions adopted the programme and continued to implement it and broadening the scope of the programme to other key populations.
Question 6
The initiative should be able to be sustained over a significant period of time.
a. Please describe whether and how the initiative is sustainable (covering the social, economic and environmental aspects) (300 words maximum)
The programme activites still takes place even though NACOSA funding has ended. LGBTI students formed their own student organization called Gabian.
b. Please describe whether and how the initiative is sustainable in terms of durability in time (300 words maximum)
Every year LGBT students are part of the programme and different programme activities takes place. The programme is under the institutions wellness center.
Question 7
The initiative should have gone through a formal evaluation, showing some evidence of impact on improving people’s lives.
a. Has the initiative been formally evaluated?
Yes
If yes, please describe how the initiative was evaluated? (200 words maximum)
The Networking HIV/AIDS Community of South Africa (NACOSA) employed the services of the Foundation for Professional Development (FPD) to evaluate MSM/LGBTI programme that was implemented at Central University of Technology Free State .
This programme aimed to combat the HIV epidemic by providing health support services to university students and staff, especially those from the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) community. This evaluation project has received ethical approval from FPD’s Research Ethics Committee as well as this university’s ethics board. Students were asked to complete a survey regarding the implementation of the MSM/LGBT programme at CUT . The survey will took approximately 10 to 20 minutes to complete.
b. Please describe the outcome of the evaluation of the impact of the initiative (200 words maximum)
Results are not yet released on public domain.
c. Please describe the indicators that were used (200 words maximum)
The students had to follow this link in order to complete the survey.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KAPsurveyV2 .
Question 8
The initiative must demonstrate that it has engaged various actors such as from other institutions, civil society, or the private sector, when possible.
a. The 2030 Development Agenda puts emphasis on collaboration, engagement, coordination, partnerships, and inclusion. Please describe what stakeholders were engaged in designing, implementing and evaluating the initiative. Please also highlight their roles and contributions (300 words maximum)
The Networking HIV/AIDS Community of South Africa (NACOSA) has employed the services of the Foundation for Professional Development (FPD) to evaluate MSM/LGBTI programme that was implemented at this institution. Institutions research committee was approached before the survey was conducted. The evaluation projects received ethical approval from FPD’s Research Ethics Committee as well as CUTS university’s ethics board.
Question 9
a. Please describe the key lessons learned, and any view you have on how to further improve the initiative (200 words maximum)
I have learned a lot about LGBTI issues and I am confident to talk about them anytime and anywhere and became an advocate of human rights.
I have also learned project management and also to take ownership of everything that I do.
I have learned to always think on my feet to make the programme a success and also to come up with activities that students and staff can attend and learn from.
I have learned to establish good relationships with different departments such as residence life, marketing and communication and finance departments in the institution.
I have learned that LGBTI student’s experience many challenges in their life’s and the program helped them to overcome their challenges, they feel, loved acquired a sense of belonging in the society and the institution.