Marseille 2007
| Abstract #81 - Mobilisation of the civil society in the fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Cambodia | ||||
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Session: 10.7: Civil society and social ramifications (Parallel) on Monday @ 11.00-12.30 in CP Chaired by Liviana Calzavara, Ted Myers Authors: Presenting Author: Mrs Pen Mony - cambodian community of women living HIV/AIDS, Cambodia |
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| Additional Authors: Dr Frederic Bourdier, | ||||
| Aim: Since 2006, the Cambodian government is introducing its national HIV/AIDS programme as a success story. The two main arguments are the antiretroviral scaling up which has reached more than 10 000 persons within three years as well as a significant prevalence decline from 1997 to 2004 (dropping from 3.1 to 1.9). Besides this unconditional claim, some NGOs and independent observers - including engaged PLAs - who are not only focussing on medical aspects of the fight against the epidemic, are rejecting such optimistic projections. The presentation of this paper intends to show how an alternative vision is in position to bring socio-political facts and figures providing a new constructive analysis of the Khmer situation. | ||||
| Method / Issue: The methodology is based on a qualitative approach. Attention is dedicated to local emerging organisations promoting elements of reflection from their field experiences. The choice of the enquiries is based on open and semi-direct interviews associated with techniques of participant observation which took place on a long term basis in Phnom Penh and in three provinces. | ||||
| Results / Comments: Preliminary results show that three fundamental aspects are considered as priorities by the representatives of the civil society. These priorities deal with: 1) the amelioration of the quality of care should be articulated with the already going on medical action. This dimension continues to be neglected by the government even if it is recognized that antiretrovirals can only solve a part of public health preoccupations related to HIV/AIDS; 2) a strong commitment to promote public debates on the public stage. The civil society, which is traditionally expected to be passive and subordinated, should be encouraged for its involvement; 3) a participative social and political action is needed. Most decisions are taken from the top and are not submitted to any negotiation. Recent PLAs willingness attests the determination of not being considered anymore as HIV patients but as social and political actors really participating in the struggle of the epidemic. | ||||
| Discussion: Conclusively, social mobilisation of a civil society is growing up in Cambodia. It is emerging as an independent body, strengthened by national and international networks. Some of the representatives ambition to act as lobby groups or watchdogs keeping an eye on international agencies and on the government which is not having sufficient counter-power in order to adopt a transparent policy and re-adjust its medical interventions that should be much more sensitive to social issues and in accordance with peoples expectations | ||||
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