CSAF endorses Lawrence Phiri as representative for HIV and Aids key populations in Malawi

Malawi: The Civil Society Advocacy Forum on HIV and Other Related Diseases (CSAF) has endorsed Lawrence Phiri as Malawi's representative in advocating for adequate funding for HIV/AIDS and other related conditions, as well as quality and accessibility care for those in need, writes Watipaso Mzungu.

The forum's thematic group of key populations (KPs) made the endorsement on Saturday at Mount View Lodge in Dedza.

The meeting was called by CSAF to, among other things, identify candidates for the Malawi Global Fund Country Coordinating Mechanism (MGFCCM).

The endorsed KP representative in Malawi expressed his gratitude for being entrusted with the responsibility in his acceptance remarks.

"I am delighted to have been entrusted with the responsibility of representing the KP at the MGFCCM; I assure you all that I will serve the best interests of the community I represent and ensure that I consult with my fellow KPs and provide feedback following my engagements at the MGFCCM. In particular, I want to thank outgoing representative Zinenani Lucy Majawa for her efforts in advancing advocacy on issues affecting KPs in MGFCCM. It wasn't easy, but she stood tall and genuine by refusing to take shortcuts," Phiri said.

CSAF is a network of over 40 organizations whose primary goals are to advocate for adequate funding for HIV/AIDS and other related conditions, as well as quality and accessible care for those in need.

The network is governed by the elected Executive Committee, which includes the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, Vice Secretary, and Chairpersons of Key Populations, HIV and Aids treatment, care, and support, human rights, gender and structural barriers, sexual reproductive health and rights, financing and social contract, community systems strengthening, resilient, and sustainable systems for health, supply chain, logistics, and human resource for health, tuberculosis treatment, and tuberculosis treatment, tuberculosis treatment,

Others include YFHS, AGYW, and ABYM, as well as Media IEC and Documentation.

Phiri is the president of Lesbian, Intersex, and Other Extensions, a KP-led organization (LITE). Meanwhile, Grace Maonga, the Board Chairperson of the Female Sex Workers Association (FSWA), a lesbian, has been endorsed as Phiri's alternate.

The CSAF KP Thematic Group exists to share information, experiences, and provide strategic direction on KP programming within CSAF, as well as to promote advancement on the barriers affecting KPs' access to services.