(A sharing by Kokila, Saraoja amma and Rani, Thiruvannamalai Deepam AIDS Thaduppu Sangam)

 

Three members from a CBO of FSW in Thiruvannamalai visited a village to pass a Panchayat resolution against stigma and discrimination on PLHIV and on people who are vulnerable to HIV.

While they were addressing the villagers, the Village chairman said that there was a woman who was infected and they had isolated her from the village.  Then the three women…

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 A sharing by Thamizh, Nandhni and Mohana of Sumangali AIDS Thaduppu Sangam, Rasipuram, Tamil Nadu, India

 

“We provide a lot of services for the community members and for the public through our MSM CBO. We create awareness about HIV, STIs and condom use among our community members. Earlier, if people saw us in public places they would mock at us and ridicule us. They looked at us as untouchables. They would not sit next to us in the…

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S Devi*, a female sex worker from Rajahmundry, India shared her story during a SALT visit which illustrates the practice that Care is linked to prevention.



She shared a relationship with a man and continues till date. During the initial phase of their relationship she had to negotiate condom use with him. The first day when she requested him to use condoms he was not convinced. He thought why the need to use condoms when they are in a relationship. S Devi explained to him that she… Continue

When I started my work with truckers on HIV, I had several prejudices about them as any other person in the community . I thought they were closed people, I was told that they were spreading HIV because they are mobile and frequent sex workers. But this evolved over time.



As I started working with them I realized that I had no direct link with them, as traders, hotel staff, police men, sex workers, etc. All I understood was that I had to create an opportunity to interact with them in… Continue

I am so glad that I was able to make it to the International knowledge Fair (IKF) because it was a great eye opener for me. I used to think that I care for the community I work with. Here I learnt that I need to care for humanity. Though at intellectual level I am aware of it, I understand I need to go long way to be into it. The IKF gave me a firsthand experience to witness it in reality and to be a part of that experience.



When I reflect on my bonding with my community I see many… Continue

The sex workers in Periyackulam district, Tamil Nadu say "Sex without condoms: those days are gone!". 8 years ago it was observed that though women in sex work were aware about the use of condoms to prevent STIs and HIV they were exposed to infections. When the Siaap, team discussed in detail certain facts emerged such as emergencies in the family, ill health, debts and arrest by police caused financial crisis. In order to solve the crisis they had to raise more money so they gave-in to demands… Continue