The Path Forward: 2025 Priorities and Hopes in Suriname’s HIV Response

As the calendar turns to 2025, at Stg. Building Bridges…Saving Lives, we look ahead with renewed energy and clear objectives in our mission to fight HIV and support vulnerable communities in Suriname, from Meerzorg to the farthest borders. This year, our priorities are focused on consolidating past achievements and forging new paths for even greater impact.

Consolidating Our Work on Climate and Justice for 2025

A key focus for 2025 is to deepen our involvement in the exciting project in Suriname, in collaboration with the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities (CVC) coalition, centered on climate change and justice. We recognize that migrant women and other vulnerable populations are disproportionately affected by climate change, exacerbating their vulnerability to HIV and GBV.

Our goals for this year include:

• Strengthening capacities in climate and justice: We will continue working with two vulnerable communities to improve their understanding and ability to respond to climate challenges. This includes how climate change impacts health and safety, especially for migrant women.
• Empowerment through tangible solutions: The goal is for communities to develop practical solutions that benefit both their environment and society at large, integrating health, well-being, and sustainability.
• Fostering movement building: CVC’s initiative to build trust and alliances among diverse groups (agricultural workers, miners, marginalized youth, LGBTQ+ individuals, migrants) is crucial. In 2025, we will continue to nurture this cross-sectoral collaboration for stronger collective action.

The Persistent Challenge of GBV and Human Rights

The fight against GBV and human rights violations remains a central priority for 2025. Building on the experience of the “Help Us, Help You” project, this year we will seek to:

• Maintain documentation and support: We will diligently continue to document cases of GBV and human rights violations, ensuring that the voices of migrant women and transgender individuals are heard and that they receive necessary support.
• Expand the reach of legal literacy: With “Knowledge is Power, Know Your Rights!”, in 2025 we will strive to bring legal literacy sessions to more communities, equipping more migrant women with knowledge of their rights and how to access justice.
• Leverage technology: The crisis hotline and social media campaigns will continue to be vital tools for offering immediate support and disseminating information on SRHR and human rights, reaching those in remote areas or with difficult access.

HIV Awareness: Beyond Undetectability

In the specific field of HIV, 2025 is a year to:

• Reinforce the U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable) message: We will continue to educate the population about this transformative concept to reduce stigma and encourage PLHIV to adhere to their ART.
• Actively promote PrEP and PEP: We will expand our efforts to educate about Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), ensuring more at-risk individuals know about and can access these vital prevention tools.
• Focus on health equity: We will advocate for policies and programs that ensure everyone, regardless of their migration status, gender, or sexual orientation, has equitable access to HIV testing, treatment, care, and prevention services.

2025 is a year for determined action. From fighting HIV and GBV to adapting to climate change, Stg. Building Bridges…Saving Lives is more committed than ever to working with communities in Suriname to build bridges, empower the vulnerable, and ensure that no one is left behind on the path to a healthier, more just, and equitable future.