Advocacy and Representation: Advancing Equity, Rights, and Inclusion
Myanmar Positive Group (MPG) plays a central role in advancing the rights, dignity, and health of people living with HIV and key populations in Myanmar. As a nationally representative, community‑led network, MPG works to ensure that the voices and lived experiences of communities most affected by HIV meaningfully shape policies, programmes, and public discourse. Our advocacy and representation efforts are guided by a vision of an equitable, humanitarian, and self‑reliant society where everyone can access health services and live free from stigma and discrimination.
Policy Advocacy and Inclusive Decision‑Making
Aligned with NSP V priorities on human rights, gender equality, and community leadership, MPG actively represents people living with HIV and key populations in national and sub‑national HIV coordination mechanisms. Through sustained engagement with the National AIDS Programme and participation in technical working groups and consultation platforms, MPG ensures that community perspectives inform HIV strategies, service delivery models, and policy decisions.
MPG’s advocacy is grounded in evidence generated through community‑led processes, including Community Feedback Mechanisms (CFM). By systematically documenting service access barriers, discriminatory practices, and structural challenges, MPG supports evidence‑based advocacy aimed at addressing legal, policy, and social obstacles affecting communities such as sex workers, men who have sex with men, transgender people, and people who use or inject drugs.
Strengthening Community Representation and Leadership
Advocacy at MPG extends beyond policy dialogue to strengthening community capacity for representation and collective action. MPG supports and works closely with a nationwide network of self‑help groups and community networks, enabling grassroots‑level advocacy, peer mobilisation, and meaningful engagement at local, state, and national levels. These community structures provide platforms for treatment literacy, rights awareness, and leadership development, ensuring that advocacy is driven by community priorities. MPG has also played an important role in advancing positive public health messaging, including promotion of the U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable) concept, and in encouraging inclusive workplace practices and community acceptance of people living with HIV.
Addressing Stigma, Discrimination, and Human Rights Barriers
Reducing stigma and discrimination is a core focus of MPG’s advocacy agenda. In line with NSP V’s emphasis on enabling environments, MPG leads and participates in coordinated awareness‑raising initiatives, including Zero Discrimination Day, World AIDS Day, and other public campaigns. These efforts promote human rights, gender equality, and respectful service provision across healthcare, education, and employment settings. MPG applies innovative advocacy approaches such as community storytelling, digital engagement, social media outreach, and community‑led surveys to challenge harmful norms, strengthen accountability, and improve understanding between communities and service providers.
Regional and Global Representation
MPG’s advocacy and representation extend beyond national borders. Through collaboration with regional and global partners, including UNAIDS, the Global Fund, and international PLHIV and key population networks, MPG contributes community perspectives to regional and global dialogues. This engagement strengthens advocacy impact, promotes shared learning, and supports alignment with global commitments, including the Sustainable Development Goals and the principle of leaving no one behind.
Commitment to Sustainable and Community‑Led Change
In a context shaped by political uncertainty, humanitarian challenges, and health system constraints, MPG remains committed to adaptive, community‑led advocacy. By prioritizing community leadership, evidence‑informed policy engagement, and capacity development, MPG ensures that advocacy and representation efforts continue to respond to evolving needs and contribute to long‑term, sustainable change. Through its advocacy and representation work, MPG seeks not only to defend rights, but to help build a future where people living with HIV and key populations can live with dignity, equality, and hope.
