Advocacy Archives - India HIV/AIDS Alliance

People who use drugs ≠ “addicts”. Stop the labelling.

November 1st is International Drug Users Day, we stand in solidarity with millions of people using drugs who live their daily lives in harsh, extremely risky environments accentuated by the threat of hunger, disease and death and acknowledge those

Project PANKH- Addressing gender based violence among Women Who Use Drugs (WWUDs) in India

The Global Research Institute, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan organised the WINGS (Women Initiating New Goals for Safety) Conference on 5th June, 2017 at Hotel Plaza in Bishkek. The conference focussed at demonstrating the advanced capacity of WINGS as a pla

Harassment in the heart of the city

My name is Prince, and I am a 24 year old guy working in a senior position with a leading multinational company in Delhi. I love to live my life to the fullest. Coincidentally, I am gay, that is I am attracted to men. I am very comfortable with my

Dreams do come true!

Scared and troubled over my health, I would take ten to twelve pills a day. Those were the old days of desolation, circa 2006, when I had just learnt that I had abdominal TB. Today I am a healthy and confident woman living with HIV, who is a surviv

We Count – Standing up for those that matter

New Delhi- “It’s time for each of us to step up for human rights. There is no action that is too small: wherever you are, you can make a difference. Together, let’s take a stand for more humanity.” – Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, UN High

Support rights-centric programs for drug use: Vienna Commission on Narcotic Drugs

Alliance India’s G. Charanjit Sharma was selected to represent India as a civil society speaker at the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) on the world drug problem, which took place on 10-11 October 2016 at the United Nations Office at Vienna, Aus

An Avoidable Tragedy: Ending Overdose Deaths

The Delhi Police van took the defendants back to Tihar Prison after their hearing. Ramesh (name changed to protect identity) was happy at the thought that he would soon be able to reunite with his wife and meet his two-year-old son for the first ti

New Chief Executive Chosen for Alliance India

India HIV/AIDS Alliance’s Board of Directors has selected Sonal Mehta as the organisation’s next Chief Executive, succeeding James Robertson who has served in the role since 2010. With almost three decades of experience in HIV, sexual health and

Act Against Homophobia and Transphobia!

May 17th is the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, and the theme for 2016 is “Mental Health & Wellbeing.” As I hear this theme, I am reminded of a couple of incidents that stick in my mind: In 2000, a young man approached

UNGASS 2016: ‘Harm reduction saved my life’

The following remarks were presented on April 21st in plenary at the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on Drugs in New York. Namaste! My name is Charanjit Sharma and I am from Manipur a state in the North Eastern part of India. I work

Unfinished Business for Transgenders in India

Today, it is two years since the historic Supreme Court of India NALSA judgment, which acknowledged transgenders and Hijras of India as Third Gender, thus giving legal recognition to this key population. The atmosphere was celebratory, with dancing

Find TB. Treat TB. Together We Can End TB.

One in three people worldwide are infected with tuberculosis (TB). The risks of HIV-TB co-infection among PLHIV dramatically increases as dormant TB infection turns active and becomes life-threatening. Extra-pulmonary TB is a major challenge as its

TB-HIV Collaboration in India

TB-HIV Collaboration in India India is extremely vulnerable to tuberculosis (TB), as out of the 2.1 million people living with HIV, 110,000 are co-infected with TB (Global Tuberculosis Report 2015, WHO). Spread by something as simple as a cough, TB

Rainbows of Hope for India’s PLHIV

“I walk a lonely road, the only one that I have ever known.” As I listen to these lyrics by the American rock band Green Day, I reflect on the road that I took nearly twenty years ago when I first started working in the field of HIV/AIDS. It was

Dignity and Respect: Realizing the Rights of Sex Workers

As the world marks International Sex Workers’ Rights Day on March 3rd, I wonder how India with its norms of patriarchy and caste-based hierarchy will realize the rights of women in sex work. Our country struggles to afford women basic respect and

Invisible and Vulnerable: Girls Living with HIV

“Hi, I am Tara. I wanted to go to college but was forced into marriage when I was barely 17 years old. After marriage, I contracted HIV from my husband. I have forgotten the meaning of life.” “Hello, I am Neetu. I was orphaned when I lost my par

An Equal Society: Going Beyond Transgender and Hijra Welfare

Is equality an illusion? This question troubles me from time to time. I never quite find the answer. The 2014 judgement by India’s Supreme Court that recognized and protected the rights of the Third Gender was tangible progress toward equality, on

A star crossed relationship : Contraceptives and women in India

Access to contraception is every woman’s right, but if you ask a woman in India about her experience buying contraceptives, she will probably let you know how harrowing it was! Ranging from annoying smirks to intruding questions and unwelcome rema

“Miniscule” but Powerful!

The LGBT rights movement in the country has nearly come to a standstill. The heart-breaking decision by the Supreme Court in 2013 setting aside the High Court’s judgement that decriminalized homosexuality crushed the movement, effectively ensuring

Dispersing the fog of discrimination

You may say I’m a dreamer But I’m not the only one I hope someday you’ll join us And the world will be as one – John Lennon A dream keeps me going. I dream that one day every woman living with HIV – every woman like me – w

For the people, of the people, by the people: Toward self-managed treatment for PWUD

Today, thousands of people who use drugs (PWUD) in India benefit from harm reduction services. There are over 150 NGO-operated Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) centres in the country. In addition, OST services in government hospitals have recently

We Live on a Rainbow: IDAHOT 2015

“None of us should face discrimination based on what we are or whom we love.” — Max Baucus, US Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, 2014 Since the Indian Supreme Court’s judgment in April 2014 recognizing the rights of the countr

Too Miniscule for Human Rights and Basic Dignity?

“…a miniscule fraction of the country’s population constitute lesbians, gays, bisexuals or transgenders…” From the Supreme Court of India’s ruling in December 2013 upholding Section 377 of Indian Penal Code and re-criminalizing homosexua

Gone with the Wind: A Year of Rights for Transgenders

On April 15th 2014, India witnessed a historic victory for the Third Gender movement. The Supreme Court of India recognized transgenders as the “Third Gender” and protected our rights. The Court gave specific directions to central and state gove

Treat Me with Respect!

An HIV-positive MSM commented during a Pehchan-supported study on discrimination and stigma in healthcare settings: “I went to a government hospital. The doctor did not treat me well when he learned about my HIV status. He looked at me like I had

The Visibility of Who We Are

We have all read that we need to treat transgenders like everyone else…but do you? Every day transgenders and hijras are heckled, cornered, disowned by their families and thrown out on the streets. The journey towards living openly and authentical

Choti Si Asha: A Little Hope

The HIV-positive mother of a newborn passes the first six months of her baby’s life in painful hope. Every moment she frets: is my baby positive or negative? The situation is made even worse, as she must also worry whether testing kits and ea

In My Veins

During my visit to child care homes in Andhra Pradesh in 2014, I met several children who were orphaned or had lost one parent. Almost all of them were living with HIV. I was there to attend a meeting when these lines came flooding to me. A story o

Roobina’s Republic

In the bitter cold of January 20th, Roobina, a young woman, was forced to deliver her baby on a pavement in Bhopal because she was not able to pay the thousand-rupee bribe allegedly demanded at a free government-run hospital. The baby boy died minu

An Extended Family for PLHIV: Vihaan Care & Support Centres

During a recent regional review meeting, the Vihaan team caught up with Prashant Malaiya, Deputy Director Madhya Pradesh State AIDS Control Society to learn more about his perspective on the Care & Support Centres (CSCs) being developed under

Beyond the Worries: Vihaan’s PLHIV Support Groups

People living with HIV (PLHIV) often find themselves facing questions they can’t answer. Many of them are reluctant to raise their concerns with family and friends. Take the case of 34-year-old Sabeer Ahmad (name changed) who is from a small town

Sex Workers’ Rights Must Be Upheld: International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers

In India, an estimated four million female sex workers support around 12 million dependent family members on their earnings from sex work. And every one of these women is a criminal in this country. Sex work in legal in India but it is a crime to p

I’m a Gay Man, and I am Not a Criminal

You don’t always have to commit a crime to be treated as a criminal in India; sometimes just being yourself will suffice. When two cops saw me all alone in Nehru Park, it was past closing time. The park is a well-known cruising point among gay men

First Anniversary of India’s Gay Sex Ban: LGBT community gathers to protest human rights violations

The Supreme Court of India recriminalised same-sex sexual behaviour on 11 December 2013. The consequences of this judgment have been multiple and far-reaching. Over the past year, this ruling has increased the vulnerability of gender and sexual min

It’s not about us and them – If it affects a few, it affects us all

It was an eventful Sunday evening. I had just returned from the Pride walk in Delhi. The colours and slogans of the day were still fresh in my head when I turned on the TV. Normal Heart was playing and it could not have been better timed. Today,

Do People Living with HIV Count?

I have frequently heard about antiretroviral drug stock-outs from my friends and colleagues over the past three years, but then I faced one myself. Two months back, my doctor prescribed only 15 days of my medicines instead of a full month. I couldn

Does My Community Count?

As I stood on the podium at Indraprastha University in New Delhi, I was expected to tell my personal story as a hijra who is also a successful professional. Since TEDx talks are made by inspiring people, I was all geared to tell my story in which I

Harsh drug laws undermine India’s HIV response

A national consultation was held on 18th November 2014 in New Delhi to discuss the emerging challenges faced by India’s drug-using communities. Harsh laws, policies and practices that punish drug users only perpetuate the harms of drug use, and t

International Transgender Remembrance Day 2014

2014 has been a milestone year for transgenders in India. Earlier this year, the third gender was given legal recognition by the Supreme Court of India, an action that inspired discussions in the mainstream on transphobia, gender identity, and the

Speaking Out for Sexual Health

Access to antiretroviral treatment (ART) has helped enable people living with HIV (PLHIV) to live longer, fulfilling lives. Improved health and wellbeing has allowed PLHIV to plan for their futures, futures that include sex, sexuality, and the poss

End the War on Drug Users

November 1st has been observed as International Drug Users Day since 1995. Globally, there is a growing movement by activists and policy experts calling for de-criminalisation of drug users. India has a long history of cannabis and opium use for s

Truth Prevails: Satyamev Jayate and Me

In a country where most people can’t cope with ‘anomalies’ in sexual and gender identities, Satyamev Jayate has made visible the hidden struggle endured by millions of Indians. An open discussion on national television on alternative sexualitie

It’s Time We Talk about LGBT Rights

In India, far too many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people live lives of secrecy and shame. Those who reveal their sexual identities or deviate from gender norms face social rejection, economic marginalization, and physical violenc

Do I Count?

I was born and raised in Kolkata, when it was still called Calcutta, into an educated middle class family. An only child, I was born male. I think I must have been 7 years old when I started cross dressing. I would wear my mother’s saree, get repr

Keeping up the Momentum on AIDS

The HIV response in India finds itself at a crossroad – a choice between consolidating gains and frittering them away into a resurgence of the epidemic. The struggle began when policy makers chose to ignore evidence and voices from the ground and

Don’t Delay, Test Now!

It was the summer of 1999. I clearly remember those two nights. Sleepless and anxious, I just prayed that my son did not have HIV. A day earlier I had tested positive, so did my husband. The lab technician advised that since both of us were HIV p

Step Up the Pace Against Section 377 in India

In December 2013, the Indian Supreme Court upheld Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code recriminalizing homosexuality in the country. The months since the judgement have been a time of uncertainty for the LGBT community about what lies ahead. The re

“Do we count?” A question for AIDS 2014 and beyond

Every two years, researchers, implementers, policy makers, and community activists come together at the International AIDS Conference to take stock of the pandemic: Where are we now? Where have we been? Where are we heading? Discoveries are heralde

Are harm reduction strategies working?

Observed every year on 26th June, International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking remains focused largely on protecting society from the evils of drugs. There is however a burning need to consider the situation of people who use dru

36,656,825 and Counting

In 1983, Larry Kramer wrote an article for the New York Native filled with righteous anger, brilliant insight and, reading it now more than 30 years later, electric prophecy. It began, “If this article doesn’t scare the shit out of you, we&#

Keep the light on HIV: International AIDS Candlelight Memorial 2014

At least 35 million people are estimated to be living with HIV globally, with more than 2.1 million in India alone. Advancements in antiretroviral treatment (ART) have transformed the lives of people living with HIV (PLHIV). With access to ART, lif

Trans-formation to End Discrimination (#IDAHOT 2014)

May 17th marks International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT) around the world. I am sitting in my office at Alliance India in New Delhi as I gather my thoughts on the stigma and discrimination I have faced my whole life because I su

Towards the Right Side of History

As a gay rights activist, I am overjoyed by the recent Supreme Court ruling which gives legal protection to the transgender community. Ever since we heard the news, there has been an outpouring of celebration, joy and relief. The news has made the

Beyond Punishment: A Conversation about the Government of India’s Support for Drug Users

Rajesh Nandan Srivastava, India’s Director of Narcotics Control, was in Vienna last month to attend the High-Level Segment of the 57th Session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND). Francis Joseph, Alliance India’s Programme Officer for Ha

“No doubt, ART is my friend indeed…” A Community Profile to Mark 10 Years of Free ART in India

A member of India’s PLHIV community reflects on ten years of access to free antiretroviral treatment. For Naomi Semy, life almost came to a standstill when she tested positive. “As I saw the test report, everything went blank. I just thought, ‘I

“ART is my partner for life…” A Community Profile to Mark 10 Years of Free ART in India

A member of India’s PLHIV community reflects on ten years of access to free antiretroviral treatment. Kanjibhai B Gadhia is a content man. A well-settled farmer from Amreli district of Gujarat, he tested positive 11 years ago. “I fell seriously i

“I didn’t choose HIV. HIV chose me…” An Activist’s Reflection on 10 Years of Free ART in India

Pre ART: 1986 to 31st March 2004 “You have AIDS,” a counselor said to me in 1997. I don’t remember the exact date, but suddenly everything went blank. The counselor had spoken to me for more than 20 minutes, but I just remembered his one se

Early TB testing is vital for an effective AIDS response: Government and civil society come together to reinforce this pledge on World TB Day

World TB Day is observed every year on March 24th. To mark this occasion, India HIV/AIDS Alliance today joined the Department of AIDS Control (DAC) and the Central TB Division (CTD) to create awareness about the importance of early detection and tr

World TB Day 2014: New poster campaign to increase awareness among PLHIV of TB co-infection (Hindi version)

March 24 is World TB Day. Tuberculosis (TB) is a major concern for people living with HIV (PLHIV) as their impaired immune systems make them particularly vulnerable to the disease. Providing the right care & support to PLHIV with TB co-infectio

World TB Day 2014: New poster campaign to increase awareness among PLHIV of TB co-infection (English version)

March 24 is World TB Day. Tuberculosis (TB) is a major concern for people living with HIV (PLHIV) as their impaired immune systems make them particularly vulnerable to the disease. Providing the right care & support to PLHIV with TB co-infectio

World TB Day 2014: Increasing PLHIV Access to TB Testing and Treatment in India

Tuberculosis (TB) is a major concern for people living with HIV (PLHIV) as their impaired immune systems make them particularly vulnerable to the disease. In spite of this, it remains difficult to persuade PLHIV to undergo testing for TB. The doubl

‘207 against 377’: A Step Towards Reclaiming Our Rights

December 11th, 2013 was a black day in the history of India’s human rights movement. On this day, the Supreme Court of India set aside the historic judgment of Delhi High Court in 2009 and, by affirming the constitutionality of Section 377 of the

International Women’s Day 2014: Managing Cervical Cancer in Women Living with HIV in India

Cervical cancer is the most common cancer among women in India, and the leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Women living with HIV (WLHIV) are at a higher risk of developing cervical cancer than women in the general population. Most significa

Zero Discrimination Day 2014: Ending the epidemic of discrimination against PLHIV in India

March 1 is Zero Discrimination Day. HIV-related discrimination continues to plague the lives of people living with HIV (PLHIV). They are treated in dehumanizing ways, face barriers in accessing basic services like healthcare and education, and are

I did the HIV test: June 1994

It was one of those moments. Alone at home, I looked up the number for a diagnostic lab close by. When I got there, my heart skipped a beat to see the words: ‘HIV ELISA TEST’ jump out at me from the signboard. This was 1994, and I was scared. I w

The Long Road Ahead

On 11 December 2013, the streets outside the Supreme Court of India thronged with a dazed crowd, hugging, sobbing and not quite sure what had happened. Inside the hushed courtroom, the judges had just passed a devastating ruling. Lesbians, gays, bi

‘Has anything changed?’ A Decade of International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers

The International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers was created to call attention to violence and other hate crimes committed against sex workers all over the world. Conceptualised by Dr. Annie Sprinkle, the first annual day was observed in 2

A Dark Day for India

I am crouched over my work desk at the Naz Foundation (India) Trust, combing through another draft of the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) against Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, which criminalizes homosexuality. This case will be Naz India

International Human Rights Day 2013: Reflections on Rights Situation of PLHIV and Key Populations in India

Since the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, there has been a slow but steady expansion of international agreements that promote and protect the rights and dignity of all people everywhere. But even today, peo

World AIDS Day at 25: The Odds and Evens of a Quarter Century Fight against HIV/AIDS

HIV is not just a medical issue but also a social matter that requires a holistic, community-based response. (Photo by Peter Caton for India HIV/AIDS Alliance) It has been 25 years since the first observance of World AIDS Day on December 1, 1988. T

A Long Way to Zero… | World AIDS Day 2013

“Getting to zero” is the theme of this year’s World AIDS Day. It is an ambitious goal, to be sure. Three goals, in fact. Three zeros. Zero new HIV infections. Zero AIDS deaths. Zero stigma and discrimination. Are we now so close t

AIDS Response at Crossroads: World AIDS Day 2013

This year’s World AIDS Day will not just be a string of events the world community observes every year on December 1st, reiterating our resolve to combat the pandemic. This year, it will occur at a defining moment in the global response when all s

What Difference Does Discrimination Make? Reflections for World AIDS Day 2013

I have just returned from a visit to India to see what is being done in tackling HIV and AIDS. Back at the start of the epidemic in 1986 I was health minister in Britain. We carried out a very high profile public education campaign using television

Wrapping Up ICAAP11 (November 22, 2013, Bangkok, Thailand)

Today concludes the 11th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific (ICAAP 11) in Bangkok, Thailand. Alliance India is wrapping up our participation in the meeting with two sessions focused on the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) of

Five Priorities: Alliance India at ICAAP (November 20, 2013, Bangkok, Thailand)

India HIV/AIDS Alliance puts particular emphasis on five priority populations: men who have sex with men: transgenders & hijras; sex workers; people who inject drugs; and people living with HIV. Today at the 11th International Congress on AIDS

“11 for ICAAP 11”: A Selection of Alliance India Posters at ICAAP (November 17-22, 2013, Bangkok, Thailand)

Alliance India is presenting a total of 31 posters at the 11th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific (ICAAP 11) in Bangkok, Thailand, 17-22 November 2013. To mark the 11th ICAAP, below are a selection of 11 of our posters displayed

Alliance India at ICAAP 11 (November 17-22, 2013, Bangkok, Thailand)

India HIV/AIDS Alliance is excited to be part of ICAAP 11. You are warmly invited to attend our sessions and learn more about our work in India to improve the AIDS response for communities most affected by the epidemic, including MSM, transgenders

Protecting Rights to Ensure Health: International Drug Users Day 2013

November 1st is International Drug Users Day. Initiated in 1995 by the Dutch drug user organization, Landelijk Steunpunt Druggebruikers (LSD), the day aims to raise awareness and increase action to address the needs of people who use drugs. In Indi

Renewing Our Commitment to the Global Response to HIV/AIDS

Globally, the incidence of new HIV infections and the number of AIDS-related deaths are decreasing. According to a recent report by UNAIDS, the annual number of deaths fell from 2.3 million in 2005 to 1.6 million last year. In 2001, there were more

My Trans Reality: An Interview with Tista Das, Founder, SRS Solutions

An important step in the process of self-affirmation for many transgender people is to adapt their physical appearance to align with their gender identity. Many transgenders face significant challenges in accessing transition-related services in In

Going Global: An Indian Transgender at Prague Pride 2013

Big things often come unexpectedly. Last year, I met Lukas Rossalie, a gay photographer and activist from Prague, and shared with him the work we have been doing to support HIV prevention for men who have sex with men, transgender and hijra (MTH) c

Too Little, Too Late is Not Enough: International Overdose Awareness Day 2013

In the past few years, a number of famous celebrities including Michael Jackson have died due to fatal drug overdose. The media is quick to target the lifestyles of these stars, paying little heed to the grieving families and fans. Some of these de

More or Less Equal: Reflections on Freedom

The Indian Constitution declares that all Indians are granted the Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression. On Independence Day, Shaleen Rakesh explores what freedom means for young Indians struggling to express their sexuality: I am at the barber

International Youth Day 2013: Putting Youth Living with HIV in the Mix

Fifty percent of India’s population is below 25 years of age. As they mature sexually, adolescents—especially those from high-risk groups—face vulnerability to HIV and experience a range of unmet sexual & reproductive health (SRH) needs

Ignorance is Not Bliss: Why HIV-Hepatitis C Co-infection among People Who Inject Drugs is a Crisis in India

HIV-Hepatitis C co-infection is emerging a complex and urgent problem. Umesh Sharma, executive member of the Asian Network of People who Use Drugs (ANPUD), has been working for many years to reduce HIV and drug-related stigma and discrimination. In

World Hepatitis Day 2013: Making Hepatitis C a Priority

A dear friend of mine was struggling as a single mother, working two jobs and balancing drug use. To make things simpler, she quit the jobs and started working from home. Unfortunately, her drug use turned out to be more problematic than anticipate

From India with Love: Bringing Pehchan to the Trans-Health Conference in Philadelphia, USA

“FINALLY!!!” read the email from Jacsen, coordinator of this year’s Trans-Health Conference in Philadelphia, as he sent my plane tickets on the morning we were scheduled to travel. The ticket had already undergone three corrections to my name,

The Best of Times, the Worst of Times: Do WHO’s New ARV Guidelines Serve the Needs of Key Populations?

One of the highlights of the recently concluded 7th IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, was the launch by World Health Organization (WHO) of new Consolidated guidelines on the use of antiretrovir

Alliance India at IAS 2013 Kuala Lumpur

The 7th Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention is taking place this week in Kuala Lumpur. India HIV/AIDS Alliance is participating in this year’s meeting, including presenting four posters on our work. Congratulations to our staf

Four Years to a Different Me: Reflections on the Anniversary of the 377 Decision

‘I still cannot forget that moment. Though it happened some four years back, the memories stay with me. I tried every possible way, but it refuses to fade away. I live with it every moment of my life,’ said Shilpa in a soft voice. I met

Advocating for Cervical Cancer Testing for Women Living With HIV: Experiences from the Koshish Programme in India

Sexual & reproductive health (SRH) services must respond to the specific needs of people living with HIV (PLHIV). Unfortunately, this is typically still not the case in India. PLHIV face barriers in accessing basic SRH services or have needs th

Transforming Identity: New Pehchan Issue Brief on Gender Transition Services in India

Sex Reassignment Surgery (SRS) and cross-sex hormonal therapy are two essential health services required for Male-to-Female (MtF) transgender people to help them align their bodies with their gender identity. Available evidence indicates a near lac

Shivananda Khan, OBE (1948-2013)

India HIV/AIDS Alliance remembers the life and achievements of Shivananda Khan, one of South Asia’s leading activists who left an indelible mark on the global LGBT rights movement and did so much to expand the HIV response for sexual minorities al

Slow but steady: India’s march to equality for sexual minorities

Over the past five years or so, India has witnessed seismic shifts in matters concerning the human rights of sexual minorities. Despite being stymied by right-wing groups cutting across religious lines, the Government of India has stood by its comm

International Women’s Day 2013: Empowering Women Living with HIV

International Women’s Day was first officially observed in 1911 and remains an annual opportunity to call for change and celebrate the many acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who play an extraordinary role in the world’s fu

Falling Through the Net No More: Community Advocacy Expands Sexual & Reproductive Health Services for PLHIV

Sexual & reproductive health (SRH) services must become responsive to the specific needs of people living with HIV (PLHIV). Unfortunately, this is typically not the case in India. PLHIV face barriers in accessing basic SRH services or they have

From Inequality to Inclusion: Recognizing the Vulnerabilities of Sexual Minorities in the Response to the Delhi Gang-Rape

The Justice J.S. Verma Commission stresses that the word ‘sex’ in the Constitution of India should be understood to include sexual orientation. (Photo © 2012 Peter Caton for India HIV/AIDS Alliance) Convened in the aftermath of the horrific gang

From Addiction to Action

Francis Joseph is Programme Officer for Hridaya, our HIV and harm reduction programme in India supported through the five-country Community Action on Harm Reduction (CAHR) programme with funding from the Government of the Netherlands. Hridaya wo

The Other Epidemic: Gender-based Violence in India

The world has watched over the past weeks as India has struggled to address the causes and consequences of sexual violence, an all too common part of life in this country. The horror of the December 16th rape and murder in New Delhi has not diminis

Women Out Loud: New UNAIDS/UNWomen Publication Cites Our Chanura Kol Project

UNAIDS and UN Women recently released Women Out Loud, a new report on women living with HIV and the key role that they play in ending the epidemic. A UNAIDS feature on the document’s release notes the following: In a new report, entitled Wom

Their Voices Count: Stand with PLHIV on Human Rights Day!

Even after more than two decades of a coordinated national response to HIV/AIDS in India, stigma and discrimination towards people living with HIV (PLHIV) remain commonplace. These forces—and the violence and other rights violations that often acc

Press Clippings: World AIDS Day All-India Run & Cultural Event Media Coverage (December 2012)

Motivated to raise awareness about HIV, more than a thousand people participated in India HIV/AIDS Alliance‘s World AIDS Day All-India Run & Cultural Event on Sunday, December 2, 2012. The run was followed by music and drama performances

New Optimism, Old Challenges: Prioritizing High-Risk Groups at the Frontline of AIDS

In a new opinion piece published December 1st on OneWorld South Asia to commemorate World AIDS Day, Alliance India’s James Robertson argues that while India’s admirable progress in achieving a greater than 50 percent reduction in new HIV infecti

Join us for the World AIDS Day All-India Run & Cultural Event! (Sunday, 2 December 2012 in New Delhi)

World AIDS Day 2012 All-India Run and Cultural Event ***8am-2pm (***PLEASE note EARLIER starting time!) Sunday, 2 December 2012 New Delhi Organized by: India HIV/AIDS Alliance Co-sponsored by: Population Council; Citibank; UNDP; Centre for Advoc

Remembering Sukanya: International Transgender Day of Remembrance 2012

This Diwali, Aarthi called. I expected her usual warm greetings and was unprepared for her distressed voice. “I wanted to tell you sooner but could not get you on the phone. Abhi, I have bad news for you.” I was very tensed. Aarthi had never spok

Making Pehchan: Why the Global Fund Matters for Sexual Minorities

Alliance India’s own Sonal Mehta is now a blogger for The Huffington Post’s “Big Push” campaign, an effort to galvanize increased support for The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. In her first post, she describes how le

What India’s Politicians Can Learn from President Obama’s Victory Speech

“I believe we can keep the promise of our founding, the idea that if you’re willing to work hard, it doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from or what you look like or who you love. It doesn’t matter whether you’re black or white or Hi

Confidentiality: A Health and Human Rights Issue for PLHIV

Community action lies at the core of the Koshish project, which advocates for policies to improve the SRH and rights of PLHIV in India, and strives to ensure that PLHIV are treated with respect and dignity.[/caption] There is nothing more angering

In the Midst of Sisters, a New Bud Blossoms

Anouba Mayol means ‘new bud’ in Meitei, the official language of my home state, Manipur. Anouba Mayol is also the name of the support group I belong to. I am 29 years old, and like the other eight women in my support group, I am living with HIV a

Sharing Experiences Across Borders: Alliance India Hosts International Horizontal Learning Exchange on MSM and Transgender Programming and Advocacy

Last week, Alliance India hosted a four day information sharing and learning exchange for Alliance partner organisations from Mongolia, Myanmar, Kenya and Indonesia. Comprised of discussions, workshops and visits to Pehchan field sites, the Horizon

Creating Change One Peer Group at a Time

The Action Project empowers youth by educating them about issues that are important to them and discussing subjects that no one has talked to them about before. In conservative areas such as Allahabad where speaking about sexual, reproductive or he

Listening to the voices of communities to get to the heart of change

The social challenges in understanding and promoting the sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR) of people living with HIV (PLHIV) are numerous. These include the social stigma and discrimination against PLHIV, limited accessibility to and ava

Increasing Civil Society Involvement in the Fight Against HIV in China

India HIV/AIDS Alliance recently hosted a study tour of the Pehchan project for the China Association of STD and AIDS Prevention and Control (AIDS Association). This tour came in the wake of a significant decision made by the Chinese Government a f

Is the Commonwealth ready for an AIDS-free generation?

J.V.R. Prasada Rao blogs in New Statesman (London) about the importance of law reform in successfully addressing HIV/AIDS and how the Commonwealth can lead by example and take decisive actions to address the legal and structural barriers currently

Media Advocacy for addressing MTH issues

Alliance India in Andhra Pradesh conducted a Media Advocacy Meet this week (September 17, 2012) in Hyderabad to discuss the human right issues of men who have sex with men, transgender and hijras (MTH) and the role of media in representing their is

How integration responds to the SRHR needs of sex workers

Sex workers have the same sexual and reproductive rights as anyone else – such as to choose who to have sex with and to have sexual relations free from violence. They also share many of the same needs for SRHR information, support, commodities and

Engaging Law Enforcement Authorities for HIV Prevention: Experiences from Avahan in Andhra Pradesh

As police are the mandated protectors of the civil rights of all the citizens, they need to be aware of, and protect, the rights of sex workers and men who have sex with men (MSM). Also, police personnel themselves are vulnerable to HIV due to fact

Separate hospital wards for transgenders soon to be a reality

In India, there is documented evidence of transgenders and hijras facing repeated stigmatisation and discrimination, in violation of their dignity and basic human rights. Pehchan, as part of the programme’s advocacy efforts to raise awarenes

HIV/SRHR Integration for MSM and Transgender People

Men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender people have the same sexual and reproductive rights as anyone else – such as to choose who to have sex with and to have sexual relations free from violence.They also share many of the same needs for

Candidly Transgender: Government of India officially recognises third gender

Government of India (GoI) has taken a commendable step towards mainstreaming hijras and transgenders by recognising their gharana system. The Election Commission of India has for the first time ‘recognised’ transgenders and modified the Form of

How Integration Responds to the SRHR Needs of PLHIV

People living with HIV (PLHIV) have the same sexual and reproductive rights as anyone else – such as the right to choose who to have sex with and to have sexual relations free from violence. They also share many of the same needs for sexual and re

Alliance India Honoured by India NGO Awards

India HIV/AIDS Alliance was honoured at this year’s India NGO Awards in a memorable ceremony in New Delhi last week for demonstrating best practice in resource mobilisation, financial management, organisational governance and community impact. The

Hey, Marc Jacobs: We are all innocent!

The eminent American fashion designer Marc Jacobs recently offered two new tee-shirts for sale in his Marc by Marc Jacobs stores. One blue and one pink, these shirts draw attention to “Innocent Victims” of the epidemic: families living

An Amazing Story of Grit and Determination

When the going gets tough, the tough gets going! HAMAZOR an International magazine catering to the Zoroastrian community celebrates Simran Shaikh’s Programme Officer for Alliance India’s Pehchan Programme, spirit of unshakeable willpowe

HIV/SRHR Integration for Key Populations

This report summarises the findings of a review commissioned by India HIV/AIDS Alliance and funded by the European Union of experiences and lessons from integrating HIV and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in programmes for key pop

Pehchan featured in Lancet article!

The Lancet — one of the world’s best known, oldest, and most respected medical journals — released a special themed issue at AIDS 2012 describing some progress and the many ongoing challenges in the HIV epidemic affecting MSM an

Sneak Preview: Alliance India Sessions, Thursday, July 26 at AIDS 2012

Our work has received tremendous interest and response with HIV clinicians, researchers, advocates, activists, and others from across the globe. Through the course of AIDS 2012: XIX International AIDS Conference, Alliance India has presented progra

Join Alliance India Sessions on Wednesday, July 25 at AIDS 2012

India HIV/AIDS Alliance has lined up an action packed day for you today (Wednesday 25 July) at the International AIDS conference, you are cordially invited to attend all our sessions to learn more about our work in India to improve the AIDS respons

Getting High, Getting Laid: Harm Reduction Sessions by Alliance India, Tuesday, 24 July

We invite you today (Tuesday, July 24, Global Village Harm Reduction Zone, 4.30 – 6.00pm) for the panel discussion on Living Harm Reduction: Lessons Learned from three Continent at AIDS 2012. Organised by IDPC and the Alliance, the panel wil

Alliance India Posters on Display at AIDS 2012

Thank you for the overwhelming response and support we got from each of you for the satellite session on Reaching Key Populations through SRH/HIV Integration: Opportunities for Impact at AIDS 2012, we will be posting deliberations of the discussi

Alliance India Events at AIDS 2012 on Sunday, July 22

India HIV/AIDS Alliance invites you today (Sunday, July 22, Global Village Session Room 1, 3:45-5:45pm) for the satellite session on Reaching Key Populations through SRH/HIV Integration: Opportunities for Impact This session is organised by India

FROM STIGMA TO STRENGTH – Strategies for MSM, Transgender People and Allies in a Shifting AIDS Landscape

The Global Forum on MSM & HIV (MSMGF) is organizing today (21st July, 2012) the fifth MSM Pre-Conference event to the International AIDS Conference, to be held in Washington, DC. This year’s theme is: From Stigma to Strength: Strategies for

Find your way at AIDS 2012 with Alliance India’s roadmap!

Take a look at India HIV/AIDS Alliance’s AIDS 2012 roadmap! You are cordially invited to attend each and every one of our sessions to learn more about our work in India to improve the AIDS response for communities most affected by the epidemic: MS

Mark your calendars for AIDS 2012 sessions on Sex Workers & HIV

India HIV/AIDS Alliance has been working closely with partners worldwide to make sure that the issues of sex workers are heard at the upcoming International AIDS Conference in Washington, DC. If you are attending, we encourage you to participate in

Mark your calendars for AIDS 2012 sessions on People Who Use Drugs!

India HIV/AIDS Alliance has been working closely with partners worldwide to make sure that the voices of People Who Use Drugs (PWUD) are heard at the upcoming International AIDS Conference in Washington, DC. If you are attending, we encourage you t

Mark your calendars for AIDS 2012 sessions on PLHIV!

India HIV/AIDS Alliance has been working closely with partners worldwide to make sure that the voices of PLHIV are heard at the upcoming International AIDS Conference in Washington, DC. If you are attending, we encourage you to participate in the e

Mark your calendars for AIDS 2012 sessions on MSM and Transgenders

India HIV/AIDS Alliance has been working closely with partners worldwide to make sure that MSM and transgender people are heard at the upcoming International AIDS Conference in Washington, DC. If you are attending, we encourage you to participate i

The right to live and love: HIV and the Law

The Global Commission on HIV and the Law has launched its much awaited report “Risks, Rights & Health”. JVR Prasada Rao, one of the trustees of the India HIV/AIDS Alliance and the incoming UN Secretary-General Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in th

Celebrating the Third Anniversary of the Right to Love

Three years ago, on July 2nd, 2009, the Delhi High Court handed down a landmark judgment, deciding that sexual acts between consenting adults of the same sex would no longer be criminalised under Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code. Today we celeb

Understanding the Sexual and Reproductive Vulnerabilities of Female Sex Workers

As part of the Avahan India AIDS Initiative, Alliance India recently conducted a study to identify the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs of female sex workers (FSW). The study, conducted in Andhra Pradesh, also aimed to determine the fact

Absolutely Ours : The importance of community-owned responses to HIV in India

“Communities are assisting State AIDS Control Societies to train police and health officials on their specific needs and concerns. It is not uncommon during police trainings for sari-clad hijras and MSM to lead sessions on why and how police serv

Going Beyond HIV : Fighting for Social Entitlements for the MSM, Transgender and Hijra Community

In the course of their work with members of the MSM, transgender and hijra (MTH) community, Pehchan team members have become all too familiar with the constant discrimination faced by community members. A lot of this discrimination, however, goes

A Multimedia Feast for the Senses : The latest news on Hijra Habba!

Since news on the first ever National Hijra Habba still continues to roll in, we decided to highlight some of what we’ve recently received (which includes the brilliantly emotive photo of Abhina and Yadavendra above)! In addition to the artic

Press Release – National Hijra Habba 2012

2nd June 2012 PRESS RELEASE Hijras advocate for equality, celebrate Hijra Habba In a national event organized by Pehchan, hijras highlight discrimination and demand equality for their community New Delhi: Stakeholders from government, media, polic

Speaking up for the rights of young transgender and hijra community members

Pehchan is organising National Hijra Habba tomorrow which serves to provide a platform for community members and supporters to raise awareness and promote equality for the transgender and hijra community in India. In keeping with the aim of this im

Government of India reaffirms support for decriminalizing homosexuality in UN report

A draft of the 2nd Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of India at the UN has been released. This review, which takes places once every four years, is conducted by the Human Rights Council and assesses the human rights records of each of the UN memb

US State Department’s latest Human Rights Report details the status of LGBT rights around the world

“As Secretary, I have worked with my superb team on advancing human rights in a 21st century landscape, focusing on new frontiers even as we stand up against age-old abuses. Where women have been and continue to be marginalized, we’re hel

Shedding Light on Abuse: Alliance India study shows that almost 50% of women who inject drugs in Manipur report harassment and abuse from community members

“The findings of this study are essential to understanding the lack of a support system in the lives of women who inject drugs, which significantly increases their isolation and vulnerability to seeking sex work as a means of earning a livel

Fighting Transphobia and Homophobia: Pehchan team and supporters respond to cases of violence against the MSM, transgender and hijra community

International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia is celebrated on May 17th every year to commemorate the removal of homosexuality from the World Health Organisation’s International Classification of Diseases, which took place on this day in 19

“Is it a sin to be born a hijra?” Transgenders fight for civil rights in New Delhi

Members of the transgender community attended a public hearing in New Delhi to demand access to social inclusion and justice. Alliance India’s Simran Shaikh was present at the public hearing and spoke up about the discrimination and violence

Beyond a Binary: Gender in the work of Alliance India

Shaleen Rakesh’s essay, Beyond a Binary, sheds light on Alliance India’s work with marginalized communities who are the most vulnerable to HIV/AIDS in India. Community members include widows whose husbands have died of AIDS, children living