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Sergey Bessonov from Bishkek is the head of the organization that protects the rights of people who use drugs – “Harm Reduction Network Association”. Sergey himself used drugs in the past. However, he admits that everyone has the right to make his own choice whether to stop using drugs or not. Below are some of Sergey’s thoughts in direct speech.

The executive director of AFEW-Kyrgyzstan Natalya Shumskaya is talking about the successes and challenges of the organisation in 2018 and the new demands for 2019.

It is especially important to talk about stigma and discrimination today while observing Zero Discrimination Day. We, at AFEW Network are supporting UNAIDS in highlighting the urgent need to take action against discriminatory laws. Working in Eastern Europe and Central Asia for almost 20 years, we are taking actions from our side as well.

The executive director of International Charitable Foundation “AIDS Foundation East-West” (AFEW-Ukraine) Olena Voskresenska is telling about the main achievements of organisation in 2018 and its plans for 2019. 

AFEW International executive director Anke van Dam sums up the results of 2018 and gives introduction of AFEW activities for the upcoming year of 2019.

In many countries, different key populations unite. They do it for the better representation of their interests in the development of public policy. This is often the alliance within one community, and less frequently – of several communities.

A photo exhibition “Dreams of the Invisible Women” was held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan from November 25 to December 10, 2018. The exhibition, which was held in the centre of Bishkek and in the venues popular among young people, allowed women suffering from violence, discrimination, living with HIV or using drugs as well as LBT women to send a message to the society: “We are here! We also love and are loved, we deserve to be happy and have equal rights.”

By changing the name “AIDS Foundation East-West in the Kyrgyz Republic” at the beginning of the year 2019, AFEW-Kyrgyzstan emphasized its involvement in the international AFEW Network. Another reason for changing the name and logo of the organisation is the expanding capabilities.