Human Rights Archives - India HIV/AIDS Alliance

We Count – Standing up for those that matter (Dec 10, 2016)

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

For the people, of the people, by the people: Toward self-managed treatment for PWUD (Aug 4, 2015)

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 (May 16, 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? (Apr 23, 2015)

“…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 (Apr 14, 2015)

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! (Apr 9, 2015)

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 (Mar 31, 2015)

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

Roobina’s Republic (Jan 24, 2015)

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

I’m a Gay Man, and I am Not a Criminal (Dec 15, 2014)

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 (Dec 12, 2014)

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 (Dec 10, 2014)

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,

An HIV-free Future for Every Child (Nov 14, 2014)

India celebrates Children’s Day every November 14th. It is a day dedicated to children in memory of India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. To mark Children’s Day 2014, here is a glimpse of the work we do with HIV-positive mothers and t

Truth Prevails: Satyamev Jayate and Me (Oct 22, 2014)

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 (Oct 20, 2014)

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

Out of the Shadows: Women who Use Drugs in India (Jul 17, 2014)

Women who use drugs are collectively failed by India’s HIV response! This systemic neglect involves government departments, civil society and the private sector. While government programs have done well to address issues of women’s empowerment an

36,656,825 and Counting (May 24, 2014)

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&#

United Against Homophobia: Bringing Pehchan’s Human Rights Model to Uganda (May 22, 2014)

“It was my view that homosexuality should be punished harshly in order to defend our society from disorientation.” – Yoweri Museveni, President of Uganda, while signing Anti-Homosexuality Bill into law on February 25, 2014. “While readi

Keep the light on HIV: International AIDS Candlelight Memorial 2014 (May 18, 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

Towards the Right Side of History (Apr 19, 2014)

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 (Apr 16, 2014)

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

Advocating for Stigma-free Healthcare for Female Sex Workers (Mar 20, 2014)

While conducting community consultations in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, the Koshish programme team learned that female sex workers (FSWs) in the district faced numerous challenges in accessing healthcare services, including stigmatizi

‘207 against 377’: A Step Towards Reclaiming Our Rights (Mar 12, 2014)

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

Zero Discrimination Day 2014: Ending the epidemic of discrimination against PLHIV in India (Feb 28, 2014)

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 (Feb 27, 2014)

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

‘Has anything changed?’ A Decade of International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers (Dec 17, 2013)

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

Keeping Violence at Bay in Andhra Pradesh: International Day to End Violence against Sex Workers 2013 (Dec 16, 2013)

“I filed an application for a ration card in the mandal (block) administrative office. The clerk made me come to office 15 times, and every time he slept with me,” rues Meena (name changed), a sex worker from Andhra Pradesh. “Wherever we go –

A Dark Day for India (Dec 11, 2013)

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 (Dec 9, 2013)

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

The Pain of Being ‘the Other’: How Stigma Fuels HIV/AIDS among People Who Inject Drugs in India (Dec 4, 2013)

Born in a poor family in a remote district of Haryana, Paul (name changed) learnt from childhood to be by himself. He was dragged to work at the age of 10. It was here, copying older boys, he got into the habit of smoking ganja (cannabis). Soon his

What Difference Does Discrimination Make? Reflections for World AIDS Day 2013 (Nov 29, 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

More or Less Equal: Reflections on Freedom (Aug 14, 2013)

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

Shivananda Khan, OBE (1948-2013) (May 21, 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

Confronting Quackery, Demanding Care: India’s Hijras Seek Access to Sex Reassignment Surgery Services (Apr 15, 2013)

Malika (her name changed) remembers feeling helpless when a government hospital refused to treat her for a painful and dangerous infection that had resulted from her sex reassignment surgery (SRS). Malika is a hijra and her story is not unique. Man

Slow but steady: India’s march to equality for sexual minorities (Apr 10, 2013)

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 (Mar 7, 2013)

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

Changing a Habit of Addiction in the Land of the Gods (Feb 12, 2013)

Uttarakhand’s natural beauty has captivated tourists and residents alike for centuries. Wildlife and nature enthusiasts, pilgrims, and even those wanting an escape from city life have turned to the serenity of Uttarakhand’s lush green mountains,

From Inequality to Inclusion: Recognizing the Vulnerabilities of Sexual Minorities in the Response to the Delhi Gang-Rape (Feb 5, 2013)

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 (Jan 15, 2013)

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 (Jan 3, 2013)

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

Uniting Against Discrimination: Women form advocacy groups to respond to cases of violence (Dec 27, 2012)

Alliance India understands the power of community participation and engagement. In partnership with the Manipur-based local NGO, Social Awareness Service Organisation (SASO), the Chanura Kol project has established four Core Advocacy Groups to help

Their Voices Count: Stand with PLHIV on Human Rights Day! (Dec 10, 2012)

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

Join us for the World AIDS Day All-India Run & Cultural Event! (Sunday, 2 December 2012 in New Delhi) (Nov 22, 2012)

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 (Nov 19, 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

What India’s Politicians Can Learn from President Obama’s Victory Speech (Nov 14, 2012)

“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 (Oct 22, 2012)

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

Media Advocacy for addressing MTH issues (Sep 21, 2012)

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

Separate hospital wards for transgenders soon to be a reality (Sep 12, 2012)

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

Candidly Transgender: Government of India officially recognises third gender (Aug 31, 2012)

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

Hey, Marc Jacobs: We are all innocent! (Aug 13, 2012)

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

FROM STIGMA TO STRENGTH – Strategies for MSM, Transgender People and Allies in a Shifting AIDS Landscape (Jul 21, 2012)

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

The right to live and love: HIV and the Law (Jul 8, 2012)

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 (Jul 2, 2012)

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

Going Beyond HIV : Fighting for Social Entitlements for the MSM, Transgender and Hijra Community (Jun 12, 2012)

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

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A Beacon of Hope in the Fight Against Child Marriage : One Girl’s Story (Jun 8, 2012)

Kavita recounts how her family was recently wracked by conflict. She says quietly, “My older sister, who was 18 years old at the time, was getting married. My family members decided that I should get married along with her. But I’m much younger t

Getting People to Talk About Sex: Youth groups raise awareness about reproductive health and rights of young people (Jun 6, 2012)

The youth groups in Manipur and Allahabad, which were established by the Action Project, are comprised of vocal members who know they are breaking with tradition. In stark contrast to their conservative families, these confident youth speak openly

US State Department’s latest Human Rights Report details the status of LGBT rights around the world (May 25, 2012)

“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

“Is it a sin to be born a hijra?” Transgenders fight for civil rights in New Delhi (May 15, 2012)

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