Re: Need for consultation with Sex workers

[Guest guest]

I am writing to endorse the point made about the importance of the

process of collectivisation of sex workers in India. The

International HIV/AIDS Alliance India, in partnership with Lepra

India, is implemeting programmes for sex workers, MSM, IDU and people

living with HIV/AIDS in a set of locations throughout Andrah Pradesh.

In each of the areas the Alliance is working, we are supporting

groups of sex workers to establish autonomous community based

organisations. Another important approach that we are also supporting

is employing and training people from these communities to work, not

just as " peer educators " , but in various aspects of NGO based HIV

programming including as project officers and providers of technical

support.

I hope the sex workers involved in Alliance programmes in AP soon

have an opportunity to meet with others from collectives throughout

the country. I know they would benefit enormously from hearing about

the challenges others have faced in establishing their collectives

and how they have overcome them.

Cheryl Overs

E-mail: Covers@...

Senior Programme Officer Focused Prevention

International HIV/AIDS Alliance

Queensberry House, 104-106 Queens Road

Brighton BN1 3XF

Direct Tel: +44 1273 718 952

Fax: +44 1273 718 901

Web:www.aidsalliance.org