AEGiS-14IAC: Development of collective of women in sex work, gay and bisexual men and people with HIV and AIDS.

14th International AIDS Conference

Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

Development of collective of women in sex work, gay and bisexual men and people with HIV and AIDS.

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. F11803)

Louis ML, Marutharaj M
Institution(siaap), Chennai, India

BACKGROUND: Providing services for HIV prevention and care has to be reinforced by building community identity and empowerment for vulnerable people, especially women in sex work, gay and bisexual men and people affected by HIV and AIDS. The role of NGOs had been in identifying vulnerable communities and initiating prevention interventions. However, empowerment of communities is a difficult process and cannot easily be implemented. Collectivisation of communities is critical strategy to identify and structure support for greater empowerment of vulnerable communities.

METHOD: Two levels of initiatives have been supported within the community (a) collectives (Sangam) that address only the needs of the members, and Community Managed Organisations (CMOs), that take on interventions both within and outside the community. Appropriate funding, training and capacity building support for the Sangams and CMOs has been a critical in registration, networking, organisation management, programme planning, advocacy against violence, access to health, education and civil supply services and liaison work with local administrations. 90% of training is done by skilled people from the community.

RESULTS: 15 sangams registered, 5 CMOs functioning, 4640 people outreached, 75 panchayat resolutions against discrimination, 6 court cases won, 29 violence redressed, 19 representations made at district, state, national levels, 16 members receive voter identity cards and civil supply cards, 22 children admitted to residential schools for children

CONCLUSIONS: Structured plan to increase policy support for community managed interventions in place. Community managed organisations networking meeting planned for 2003. Plan for federation of community managed organisations in South India.

Keywords: AEGIS, Bisexuality, Homosexuality, Male, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Homosexuality, HIV Infections, Prostitution, HIV Seropositivity, Human Development, United States Health Resources and Services, Administration, Health Planning, Organizations, India, Human, Female, Male, Child

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