Current Situation and Challenges Surrounding People`s Organizations on Hansen`s Disease : Prospects for the 2nd Global Forum

ABSTRACT

Discrimination against persons affected by leprosy or Hansen’s disease has deep roots, marginalizing individuals and communities. In September 2019, “Global Forum of People’s Organization on Hansen’s Disease (POs)” was organized in Manila, the Philippines, as a pre-event of the 20th International Leprosy Congress, which was the largest-ever international gathering of persons affected by the disease and led to “the Manila Declaration” to present the collective voice of all the participants. However, how to realize them was not thoroughly discussed during the forum and thus remains an issue for the future. In light of the fact that the second Global Forum is scheduled to be held in conjunction with the 21st International Leprosy Congress in November 2022, this article aims at clarifying what the forum should strive for in order to put the Manila Declaration into action by 1) examining the significance and impact of the first Global Forum, 2) identifying challenges currently faced by the POs from four domains (performance, staff capacity, internal organization, and external relationships), and 3) providing recommendations in three areas (strengthening and networking of POs, promoting their participation in leprosy related activities through effective advocacy, and sustained support by governments and donor agencies for POs).