Vulnerable Groups Program :Young Entertainers, Fishermen, and men who
have sex with men (MSM).
Since year 2001, RHAC has been
providing SRH services and implementing BCC activities on HIV/AIDS for young
entertainers (both brothel based and non brothel based), in Phnom Penh. In 2002, the program expanded to include the same
target group in Sihanoukville. While working in Sihanoukville, the needs of a
new group of people vulnerable to HIV/AIDS, came to light. This group comprises
migrant fishermen operating from several small fishing ports in and around
Sihanoukville. In the same year, the program was further expanded to cover these
fishermen. In early 2004, the program expanded to Siem Reap province to cover
vulnerable groups such as young entertainers, construction workers and MSM. In
year 2006, it expanded to Mondolkiri and Svay Rieng to cover young entertainers
based in these two provinces.
As of to date, the program covers a
total of approximately 3,100 young entertainers and 2,400 construction workers
in 186 establishments in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville, Svay Rieng, and
Mondulkiri and 4,100 fishermen in three fishing communities in Sihanoukville.
The project’s primary aims are to reduce the
spread of HIV/AIDS and STIs among the target groups by raising awareness, promoting
safer sex practices, ensuring availability of condoms and increasing access to
sexual and reproductive health services.
Suitable volunteers are selected from among
the target groups and trained to function as Peer Educators (PEs). PEs are very
important players in the success of the project. They conduct group education
sessions and one-on-one discussions with their co-workers with assistance from
project staff, and refer colleagues for SRH and VCCT services as needed. They also distribute IEC materials, including booklets on
STDs, HIV/AIDS, VCCT, home based care and illicit drug use.
Key
achievements of the program in year 2007
717 peer educators
144,242 condoms sold
304 peer educators received initial training
445 peer educators received refresher training
4,446 people referred for RH,HIV/AIDS and STI/STD
services
994 group discussions were conducted with 14,064 participants
