Ethnic Minorities and Fighting STIs and HIV - a cross-European experience

Amsterdam, 9 October 2009 - The European Public Health Alliance attended a conference on Ethnic Minorities and Fighting Sexually Transmittable Infections (STIs), including HIV across Europe.The event, entitled "United we stand!", covered a variety of issues and was an attempt by cross-Europe HIV organisations to bring together sexual and reproductive health (SRH), HIV, ethnic minorities, migration and religion. Not only in developing countries but also within the EU borders there are communities experiencing inequalities when it comes to accessing SR health care.


Evidence shows that ethnic minorities are particularly vulnerable to not only health (care) inequalities but are also at greater risk of contracting diverse STIs, including HIV. Furthermore, acknowledging the fact that people of different ethnic background, people who migrated, and who do not have a legal status in a country of their residence are in general "difficult to reach" communities, they should be approached with carefully created programmes. It is especially useful in case of SRH initiatives, as subjects of sex, STIs and HIV are still very sensitive issues among ethnic minorities. The event, therefore, tried to present innovative ways of reaching these "difficult to reach" communities living across Europe.

During the many thematic workshops participants (incl. grass-roots-, professionals-, research-, academic-, policy-making organisations) were involved in discussing:

- HIV stigma and taboo,
- the Catholic Church and Islam on sexuality and sex,
- HIV testing and counselling among migrants,
- gender specific approaches to ethnic minorities sexual health interventions,
- undocumented (wo)men’s barriers to access to SRH,
- promotion of SRH and rights of refugees and asylum seekers in the EU,
- challenges and opportunities in working with African men, and
- innovative ways of reaching ethnic minorities by informal meetings, such as ’kitchen parties’ and soap series.

More information on the thematic workshops and on the Ethnic Minorities Conference is to be found on the organiser SOA AIDS Nederland website.

EPHA related articles:
- Commission strategy for combating HIV/AIDS in the EU and neighbouring countries 2009-2013
- HIV in Europe 2009 Conference, 2-3 November, Sweden

Last modified on November 6 2009.