14th International AIDS Conference


Barcelona, Spain — July 7-12, 2002

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[TITLE:] Methodology for comprehensive model of behavior change

[AUTHOR(S):] B.M.R. Shrestha1

Int Conf AIDS. 2002 Jul 7-12;14:Abstract No. F11718

[ABSTRACT:] Issue: Although, there is no specific and clear legal provision, sex work is taken as illegal and social crime. However most of the women and men from the different parts of the country are involving in the sex work mostly to solve hand to mouth problems. Due to the lack of specific and clear legal provision, rules and regulations sex workers are suffering many troubles from clients, pimps (brokers), family, society and administration specially police. In our society and culture, sex work is not accepted and recognized as a profession. Sex workers are taken as social slanders. Most of the sex workers themselves feel and think that the sex work is immoral. Similarly, almost all of the sex workers are not aware on their rights (legal, constitutional and human) and their situations.

DESCRIPTION: This paper will highlight the integration of theory and practice of empowerment (right based approach) into a model, which can be used for behavior change interventions among female sex workers. The process of empowerment will include awareness raising, organizing (group formation), collective action, and reflection and creation of enabling environment based on participatory dialogue. This paper is based on personal and organizational experience as a HIV/AIDS activist with Women Acting Together For Change (WATCH)/Nepal.

LESSONS LEARNED: If SWs have to change behavior they need to realize their worth, so it is necessary to boost their self-esteem and self-confidence. Participatory dialogue, functional awareness and collective action is help to increase sex worker's bargaining power for condom negotiation, to stop their exploitation and ultimately to get their social recognition. Creation of enabling environment is help to adopt the safe/protective behavior by sex workers.

RECOMMENDATION: This paper recommends practicing and applying comprehensive model of behavior change.

Presenting author: Bhagawan Shrestha

1Women Acting Together for Change, GPO Box:11321, Battisputali, Kathmandu, Nepal.

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F11718

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