THESIS PROPOSAL SEMINAR

Promoting the human rights of people with HIV, men who have sex with men and transgenders in Papua New Guinea

Tim Leach

Gender, Media and Cultural Studies

Abstract

Igat Hope is the national organisation for people living with HIV in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Kapul Champions is the national organisation for men who have sex with men (or men with diverse sexualities) and transgenders in PNG. This thesis proposal outlines plans to consider the development of these two organisations since each was established, along with the development of the communities these organisations seek to represent. Each organisation has sought to progress the rights and entitlements of their communities in ways that have been sometimes similar and sometimes very different. Each has sought to advocate for constituents using rights-based language and arguments. A range of external factors – from models of development funding to international best practice regarding HIV prevention and care – have helped shape these organisations and their approach to rights-based advocacy. It is timely to reflect on the impact of these factors as well as the impact of other more local influences on the efforts of these organisations and their constituents. This research will explore how people with HIV, men of diverse sexualities and transgenders understand their rights, and how they have experienced recent efforts to promote these. The research will involve interviews with these organisations’ employees, directors, constituents, funders, champions, fans and detractors. Through this research, I hope to gain insights on how human rights are understood within the communities with which I have worked, and what past efforts can teach us about how to progress human rights in PNG.

Biography

Tim Leach is a development practitioner who has worked with community responses to HIV in a range of Asia Pacific countries. Tim has long had an interest in the intersection of rights and health. In PNG he has worked closely with the national association of people living with HIV, Igat Hope, and with the newly established Kapul Champions, the community organisation representing Papua New Guinean men who have sex with men and transgenders. Each organisation works to promote the human rights of its constituents. Prior to his work in development Tim spent many years working in the Australian community HIV movement, including five years with the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations. He has also worked for the Australian Human Rights Commission (focussing on policy responses to disability discrimination) and as a legal office for the NSW Anti-Discrimination Board. Tim began his professional life working as a lawyer in NSW community legal centres. Tim has Bachelor degrees in arts and law and a Master’s degree in international social development. 

Enquiries: Katherine Lepani