Number of clients served:
: clients
EQUIDAD
Country of Operation
Ecuador
Approach
Target geography
Target Population
Target income level
- Lower-middle income (20-40%)
Health focus
- HIV/AIDS
CHMI PLUS Status
Profile Completeness Rating
bronze
Monitoring & Evaluation Reporting
Summary
EQUIDAD is a non-profit organization founded in the year 2000; it was created to promote cultural and social services, health, and community mobilization for the GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transsexual) community, and the prevention/treatment of HIV/AIDS.Program goals
To promote cultural and social services, health, community mobilization for the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transsexual) community, and the prevention/treatment of HIV/AIDS.
Key program components
The organization operates the “Clínica del Hombre” (Men’s Clinic), which is called as such because it principally services gay and bisexual men, providing them with the following services:
Medical services: Consultations and testing for sexually transmitted infections (HIV, herpes, syphilis, hepatitis B and C, and others), some free-of-charge.
Psychological services: Free counseling and therapy for members of the GLBT community, their partners, families, and friends, as well as voluntary guidance pre- and post- HIV and STI testing.
PANDA Project: The aim of the project is for homosexuals to empower themselves and to take care of their sexual health, especially in regards to the prevention of HIV/AIDS and other STIs. The first component addressed is communication achieved through workshops along with messages delivered to the community through Ecuador’s Public Radio station; the second component is made up of integration activities.
Asesórate Program (Program Arm Yourself): By calling the free number 1800-8022080 individuals can receive personalized guidance. The principal objective of the program is to provide counseling between equals (a pair-based work methodology). Every person working for EQUIDAD is trained by the Ministry of Public Health to provide this type of counseling along with pre- and post- voluntary HIV testing support.
Training: EQUIDAD provides awareness and training in regards to gender, sexual diversity, HIV/AIDS, human rights, and collective organization policy to public and private institutions.
Community Cultural Center: Located in EQUIDAD’s headquarters, the center provides gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transsexuals an open area for dialogue and personal expression without discrimination. The Cultural Center offers internet services (Equinet), a resource library, and a video room, all of which with a GLBT focus. Additionally, the center provides communication, self-esteem, and safe-sex workshops. All of these services are free-of-charge.
Currently, EQUIDAD, along with the Ministry of Health, is participating in a study entitled “Evaluating the Care of Our Health.” The study is attempting to determine the number of people per sector or per group of the population which have HIV and other STIs, along with the awareness, attitudes, and practices of the GLBT community, and whether they have suffered from discrimination. This information will be used to generate public policy to protect the gay and bisexual population. The study is presently in the execution and data-collecting stage.
Services offered by EQUIDAD do not incur cost on the users thanks to donations from Dutch corporations; in the case of laboratory testing, the Ministry of Health provides funding.
Scale
Number of personnel employed:
10-49
Technology
Technology used:
Phones
Goal of technology use:
To virtually connect health providers and patients in place of a traditional doctor visit
Financials
Primary source of funding:
Donor
Additional source(s) of funding:
Government
In-kind contributions
Funder(s):
Dutch cooperation: HIVOS and Schorer
Parent Organizations
Yes, there is a separate organization that manages or implements this program.
- Fundacion EQUIDADNot-for-profit
- Cruz Roja EcuatorianaNot-for-profit
- Ministry of Public HealthGovernment
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