Legislators gather for launch of HIV Prevention Handbook 2023 update
The Global Equality Caucus has launched the 2023 update to its HIV Prevention Handbook for Europe to a room full of legislators and civil society stakeholders, as EuroPride Valletta draws to a close.
At a lunchtime event hosted at the Parliament of Malta, legislators from Europe, Africa and North America attended a special briefing to be presented with the updated toolkit, which provides lawmakers with key data and policy recommendations to improve access to HIV prevention services.
Attendees also watched a short video presentation from GEC Communications Manager Andrew Slinn, which outlined how legislators can use the handbook to enhance their policy advocacy and the importance of sharing strategies with legislative colleagues.
Speaking in a keynote address, Belgian Deputy Prime Minister Petra De Sutter urged for pan-European cooperation on inclusive policy reform, to ensure all people impacted by the HIV epidemic can live free from stigma and discrimination.
Petra De Sutter, Deputy Prime Minister of Belgium, addresses GEC members at the Parliament of Malta.
Highlighting the need for further progress in Malta, Randolph de Battista MP - the only openly gay member of the Maltese Parliament - called for legal reform to widen access to PrEP, ensuring prevention tools are reaching all marginalised groups such as migrant populations.
Malta is one of several European countries where PrEP is not available for free via public healthcare or insurance, with availability limited to prescriptions and to those who can afford to pay for it.
Randolph de Battista, Member of the Parliament of Malta
Map of PrEP availability in Europe, 2022 data
In closing remarks, Vice President of the European Parliament Marc Angel called attention to HIV health equity as one of Spain’s strategic priorities during the country’s presidency of the Council of the European Union, and encouraged legislators to support international efforts to end the HIV epidemic.
Marc Angel MEP, Vice President of the European Parliament
GEC Director Alan Wardle presents the HIV Prevention Handbook to MPs and stakeholders
The HIV Prevention Handbook is available digitally via our online portal, which also collates many other resources on prevention policy including the Asia-Pacific handbook launched earlier this year.
GEC’s HIV Prevention project is supported by ViiV Healthcare and we are grateful for their support in delivering this event.