ECOM continues to inform LGBT communities about monkeypox and to fight stigma and discrimination

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued an official statement that the monkeypox outbreak is a public health emergency of international concern. The announcement comes after cases have spread to more than 70 countries.

ECOM understands and recognizes the significance of the monkeypox disease, which poses a threat to the health and well-being of people in the EECA region. At the same time, we categorically oppose any form of stigma and discrimination against people infected with monkeypox, and oppose the accusation that certain groups are responsible for the spread of this disease.

ECOM calls on all members of the LGBT community and organizations working with people living with HIV to be actively involved in the fight against this disease and in the fight against stigma. In doing so, our position fully coincides with the position of the WHO, as the WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, noted during his speech: “I also call on civil society organizations, including those with experience working with people living with HIV, to partner with us in the fight against stigma and discrimination”.

In turn, ECOM does and will continue to do work to inform and mobilize communities in the EECA region to counter the stigma around this infection. We will also continue to provide quality and scientific information on how to protect yourself. Back in June, we developed the infographic “Monkeypox: What the LGBT Community Needs to Know”, which contained the most important information about monkeypox and how to protect yourself. We also carried out a webinar for representatives of communities and non-governmental organizations of the EECA region, where they discussed what the LGBT community needs to know about the infection that is spreading around the world, and how we can counteract the stigma and discrimination against members of the community caused by this infection. In addition, we joined a study, together with the Queen Mary University of London, to assess the level of awareness about this infection in the EECA region. 

We welcome the decision of countries with higher infection rates to provide free vaccination against monkeypox, and are ready, for our part, to get involved in work and provide technical support to communities in countries of the EECA region in organizing vaccination points for community members.