AIDS INITIATIVE

Goal

Reduce the spread of STIs and HIV infection among high risk groups and their clients in Tamil Nadu

Objectives

Consolidate HIV/AIDS prevention impact among FSWs and MSMs

Build the skills and capacities of CBOs and NGOs to sustain the quality of the program post transition

Build strong collaborations with the Government and key stakeholders to ensure smooth transfer of the program

Create a knowledge base for scaled HIV prevention and document and disseminate the lessons learned

Sustain the HIV impact through social protection programs

Social mobilization

Collectivization of key populations

Increasing access to stigma free services

Creating an enabling socio-economic environment

Empowering the community

Building social capital

Sensitization programs, awareness campaigns and advocacy efforts were undertaken with elected representatives, government officials, police officers, lawyers, service providers, media, community leaders and faith based organizations brought attention to the issues faced by the marginalized community, influenced policy level changes and mainstreamed the response to HIV

TAI program advocated with the government for extending adequate social protections for key populations to reduce their vulnerability to HIV and address livelihood needs of the marginalized community.

Sustained and combined efforts of government, civil society organizations and communities for more than a decade have contributed to declines in HIV prevalence and STI syndromes in Tamil Nadu

Facilitated the formation of 25 Community Based Organizations (CBOs) for HIV/AIDS prevention and control and strengthened the CBO movement in Tamil Nadu.

Partnering with 25 Non-Government and Community Based Organizations (NGOs/CBOs) and two Clinic Management Agencies, TAI program reached 35,000 Female Sex Workers (FSWs) and 15,000 Men who have Sex with Men (MSM), including Transgenders, Kothis and Double-Deckers, in 13 high HIV prevalence districts of Tamil Nadu.

Established an effective crisis response management system involving CBO board members, community field staff and advocates to promptly address violence faced by key populations.

Collaborated with NACO and Odisha SACS to set up four Learning Sites among selected NGOs implementing Targeted Intervention program, built capacity of staff and community and facilitated adoption and dissemination of TAI best practices.