For Immediate Release:	August 17, 2006
For More Information:	Jodi Jacobson, Center for Health and Gender Equity (CHANGE), jjacobson@genderhealth.org, 301-270-1182
Sponsor Organization:	Center for Health and Gender Equity
Early findings from a seven-country study
Early findings from Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam indicate that restrictions in the U.S. Global AIDS Act placed on organizations working with commercial sex workers are undermining HIV prevention efforts and leading to further stigma, marginalization, and discrimination among already vulnerable groups. These restrictions were recently found unconstitutional in the United States but still apply ujnder US law to foreign NGOs. Speakers will present early findings from research in three of seven countries (which also include Bangladesh, Brazil, India, and Nigeria), and also speak from personal experience to the effects of US policy on the rights and health of sex workers in their own communities. PRESS CONFERENCE When: Thursday, August 17, 14:00-14:45 Where: Media Centre, MTCC, XVI International AIDS Conference, Toronto, Canada Who: Andrew Hunter, Director, Asia Pacific Network of Sex Work Projects Hazzera Begum, Bangladesh Gabriella Leite, Brazil Jodi Jacobson, Executive Director, Center for Health and Gender Equity Conveners: Center for Health and Gender Equity (CHANGE); International Council of AIDS Service Organizations (ICASO); Network of Sex Work Projects (NSWP). # # # The Center for Health and Gender Equity is a U.S.-based non-governmental organization focused on the effects of U.S. international policies on the health and rights of women, girls, and other vulnerable populations in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. http://www.pepfarwatch.org http://www.preventionnow.net http://www.genderhealth.org. If you have difficulties viewing this message or wish to unsubscribe, please e-mail change@genderhealth.org.