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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.

The clinical protocol ‘Mental and behavioural disorders due to the usage of new psychoactive substances among children and adolescents’ was developed with the support of AFEW-Kyrgyzstan and approved by the Ministry of Health in 2017. Professional narcologists and members of the community of people who use psychoactive drugs and other specialists developed the protocol.

Life expectancy of an HIV-positive person on treatment is now similar to that of HIV-negative people. And we now know that an HIV-positive person whose virus has been suppressed with treatment will no more transmit the virus to a sexual partner, meaning that antiretroviral treatment also contributes to prevention of HIV transmission and to limiting the epidemic at the population level.

This year’s theme for World AIDS Day is encouraging people to know their HIV status. HIV testing is very much needed for expanding treatment. Treatment is so important as that makes that no HIV is detected in blood and therefore not transmissible to other people. In the region where AFEW International works – Eastern Europe and Central Asia – barriers to HIV testing still remain. Last year, among the 1.4 million people living with HIV in the region 73% were aware of their HIV status.