By ‘Majirata Latela
International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has received another 18 million Euros funding Netherlands to continue with the Sexual Health Reproductive Health Rights (SHRHR) and HIV Know No Borders (KNB) Project Phase II which will run from 2021-2026.
Speaking at the launch of the project last week, Dr Thabelo Ramatlapeng said the project gives Lesotho hope that the Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights of marginalised groups such as migrants, sex workers and young vulnerable people will be realised
“We are encouraged to have this project for we need the many voices of migrants, sex workers and young vulnerable people to be heard loud and clear, and it is my belief that they need to be fully engaged in processes that concern them,” she said.
The Regional Director IOM/UN Migration Agency Southern Africa, Charles Kwenin said some of the milestones they have reached with the first project include building the capacity of 1 680 community SRHR and HIV service champions or change agents, and 3 867 service providers across the six countries where IOM has a footprint.
“We have reached about two thirds of a million (650 490) beneficiaries with SRH and HIV education,73 171 were referred for services of which 58 393reported having receivedthe SRH and HIV services, which translates into 80 percent referral completion rate. Satisfaction with services is high across the six countries, with 96 percent of the referred clients satisfied with the services received.
“We have collectively established or strengthened 430 dialogue platforms at the community, national and regional levels to address SRHR HIV barriers and sensitized 3 443 stakeholders or duty bearers in the six countries,” he said.
