In Tanzania, the KP-TNC collaborates with consortia in both Tanzania mainland, as well as in Zanzibar
KVP Forum in Tanzania
Tanzania Key and Vulnerable Population’s Forum (KVPF) was formed in October 2018 to support the efforts of the KVP Technical Working Groups (KVP-TWGs) to advance HIV gains and assist the KP community to articulate one voice. The forum’s registration attempts have not been successful but its secretariat is hosted by registered KP organizations from time to time. Despite this, the government recognizes it as the official entity that is mandated to represent all the KVPs in Tanzania.
KVPF membership consists of both networks, coalitions and individual organizations. Its programmatic focus areas include advocacy, movement strengthening, Capacity building, technological innovation, research and documentation and supporting KVP emergency response. The KVPF sees the KPTNC as a body that can fast track the decriminalization of KPs in Sub-Saharan Africa through technical assistance in using data to drive advocacy, strengthening the advocacy strategies for its membership, amplifying country and regional channels and capacity strengthening. More information about the KVPF of Tanzania X account is here
KVP Forum in Zanzibar
The KVP Forum Zanzibar was initiated in 2021 after deriving lessons learnt from the establishment of the KVP Forum in Mainland Tanzania. The Forum was later registered in August 2023 as a society. The new Forum’s main mandate is to complement governmental efforts in the development of a comprehensive guideline for KPs and to support key populations in organizing and advocating for access to health services, inclusion in programming as well as implementation and monitoring and evaluation of KVP interventions. KVPF’s work is meant to complement government efforts to end HIV as a public threat by the end of 2030.
The forum ensures meaningful engagement of KVPs in policy spaces and programs designed to improve their health and social well-being through advocacy, capacity building, coordination and dissemination of HIV and other health-related information. Its current scope of work includes enhancing collaboration, sharing data driven information, analysis and discussions around HIV and AIDS and coordinating advocacy issues. It also works to improve stakeholder engagement, monitoring the effectiveness of KP HIV service delivery as well as capacity strengthening and demand creation. The forum foresees the KP-TNC as a body that will represent and amplify regional interests, sharing of experiences and best practices as well as drive the learning and advocacy agenda of KP consortia in the region. More information about the Zanzibar KVPF is on Instagram here and their X account here.
