Sex work community plays central role in HIV prevention
Date:10th, January, 07

A unique event brought together more than 15,000 sex workers and peer educators from Mumbai and Thane to demonstrate their solidarity against HIV/AIDS.

The event know as 'Atmavishwas', (faith within) was organized by Aastha Project of Family Health International, Maharashtra State AIDS Control Society (MDACS). Atmavishwas demonstrated the central role played by the sex worker community in driving HIV prevention efforts. Held at the MMRDA grounds, Bandra Kurla Complex, the event featured appearances by A-list societal leaders including Hollywood star and co-chair Heroes Project Richard Gere, senior civil servants from the Government of Maharashtra, Smt. Chandra Iyenger, and Dr. Vijay Satbir Singh, co-chair Heroes Project Parmeshwar Godrej and celebrity icons including Bipasha Basu, Urmila Matondkar, Shann and Mandira Bedi.

The event included the sharing of best practices for HIV prevention, awards for outstanding community members spreading HIV prevention outreach, and performances and messages from celebrities.

Dr. Sanjeev Gaikwad, Director of the Aastha Project said, "Atmavishwas celebrates the work of these grassroots change agents who play a pivotal role in reaching out to their peers. By encouraging other women in the community to recognize the risks they face as sex workers and motivating them to seek health services, the community has taken HIV prevention in its own hands and played an instrumental role in the state's HIV response". Aastha aims to reduce incidence of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) through strategic behavior communication, condom promotion, and STI services. In three years of operation, Aastha has reached over 47,000 sex workers in Mumbai/Thane.

Aastha is supported by Avahan, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation's India AIDS Initiative. Avahan Director Ashok Alexander added "I am inspired by the leadership of the women gathered here today. They are the architects and drivers of HIV prevention efforts and their involvement reinforces that community driven program stand the greatest chance of success".

Richard Gere, Hollywood actor and co-chair Heroes Project, was overwhelmed by the level of support extended towards community-led HIV prevention efforts. Speaking on the occasion, he said, "This event is in recognition of the courage displayed by the sex worker community in taking ownership of their lives. It is truly inspiring to witness the convergence of societal leaders, community members, civil servants and celebrities to acknowledge their incomparable effort in playing a central role in HIV prevention."

Smt. Chandra Iyengar, Principal Secretary of Home (A and S),Government of Maharashtra, said, "The inclusion of sex workers as major contributors in the war against HIV/AIDS is an essential step. The Government is committed to working with every section of society to reduce HIV-AIDS and we have initiated steps to sensitize government personnel on HIV/AIDS.

Dr. Satbir Singh, Secretary, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Maharashtra reinforced the importance of HIV/AIDS prevention in Maharashtra giving it status as one of the six high prevalence states "We are committed to strengthening the rights of people living with HIV and forging meaningful public-private partnership to scale-up the response to this issue" he said.

Mandira Bedi, the host of the event was greeted with wild cheers and excitement as was an appearance by Urmila Matondkar who spoke about society's collective role in fighting HIV/AIDS. Performances by Bipasha Basu, Shweta Salve, Shann and a brigade of Indian Idols- Abhijeet Sawant, Rahul Vaidya, Aditi Paul, Amit Sana, Prajakta Sukhre, and Harish infused gaiety and a sense of celebration to the hard work of the community members present at the event.

At the end of the evening celebrities, government officials, community members and NGOs were unified in their commitment to raise awareness and work together to stop spread of HIV/AIDS.