The Health Policy Project ended in 2016. Work continued under Health Policy Plus (HP+) until 2022.
PUBLICATION
Author(s): Sandra Duvall, Jeannine Agounke, Simplice Anato, Ama Hodo, Yves Kugbe, Gertrude Chaold, Berry Nibogora
Primary Language: English
Date: 10/30/2013
Abstract:
This USAID-funded assessment, conducted in Togo, is the second country application of the Health Policy Project (HPP) and African Men for Sexual Health and Rights (AMSHeR) Policy Analysis and Advocacy Decision Model for HIV-Related Services: Males Who Have Sex with Males, Transgender People, and Sex Workers (Beardsley et al., 2013). The current application of the Decision Model in Togo complements the pilot application conducted in 2012 in Burkina Faso. It was designed as an in-depth policy analysis of the legal, regulatory, and policy environment related to sex workers (SW), men who have sex with men (MSM), and prison populations in Togo to uncover gaps in policy and practical challenges to policy implementation. Beginning in June 2013, the HPP principal investigator, a legal expert from AMSHeR, and a team of local consultants conducted a document review and assessment. The team collected an inventory of 116 source policy and program documents and previous policy and program research related to HIV and/or key populations. Upon completion of the inventory, the team conducted 21 key informant interviews to examine the policy environment and assess dissemination and implementation of current policies, particularly gaps in dissemination and implementation that pose barriers to service access for key populations. The HPP policy analysis and key informant interviews confirmed that positive changes related to HIV prevention, care, and treatment are occurring in Togo. Initial steps are being taken to develop policies that recognize key populations and aim to improve access to services for them. Significant opportunities exist to further progress, including the USAID-funded Regional Project for the Prevention and Care of HIV/AIDS in West Africa (PACTE-VIH) and open support from the president of Togo and the permanent secretary for the National AIDS Council. However, critical gaps in policy, dissemination, and implementation remain and are highlighted in this report.
Best Practices Equity Gender Gender-based Violence (GBV) HIV Men having Sex with Men (MSM) Non-Government/Community Service Org. (NGO/CSO) Parliamentarians People Living With HIV (PLHIV) Policy Report Sex Workers (SWs) Stakeholder Engagement Stigma and Discrimination Transgender West Africa
