Maitreya J, Jayasree AK; International Conference on AIDS.

Int Conf AIDS. 2002 Jul 7-12; 14: abstract no. F11859.

FIRM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, India

ISSUES: 1) Most of the prevention projects are targeting women, who have no choice or control over their sexuality. 2) It is the men who migrate more and spread the disease. DESCRIPTION: When we formulate a policy to prevent AIDS, the first targets usually will be sex workers, who are mostly women. We supply condoms to the women, and then ask them to persuade the clients to wear it. What we forget in this process is that the women have little or no choice over their sexuality. Most of the brothel-based sexworkers are trafficked to the places they live and literally slaves in their profession. It is the men, the owners of the brothels as well as the clients, who decide how, where and with whom they should have sex. The sexworkers have no say in deciding matters. Then the criminalizing law keeps them hidden and the women are at a lose to know what to do. We don't even provide femidoms for them. Then, if we take the case of housewives, the condition is even worse, they are just sitting ducks at home. They can't ask their spouses to practice safe sex, as the housewives are expected to be dignified (ignorant) in matters of sexuality. Empowering women, whether they are sexworkers or housewives, in controlling their sexuality will take quite a longtime, meanwhile AIDS will take matters in its hand. So it is the men, in all shapes and forms that we have to address, with urgency. LESSONS LEARNED: Having done projects among sexworkers and in general community in Kerala, India for the last five years we came to the conclusion that if we don't address men, all our efforts in preventing AIDS will be misplaced. If men take the initiative, for they are the one who take initiative in sexual matters, in preventing AIDS, we definitely will achieve our aim. RECOMMENDATIONS: We should address men primarily in AIDS prevention projects. Categorize them into different sections and formulate projects to address them with specificity.

Publication Types:

• Meeting Abstracts

Keywords:

• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
• Behavior
• Condoms
• Female
• Humans
• India
• Male
• Prostitution
• Safe Sex
• Sexual Behavior
• Sexuality
• Social Problems
• education

Other ID:

• GWAIDS0013294

UI: 102250792

From Meeting Abstracts