Re: Mapping of Vulnerable Groups/Population in Manipur

[Guest guest]

[Moderators note: Discussion about vulnerability maping in Manipur is intersting

and timely. What do we map, vulnerability of population to HIV or vulnerability

of groups? Will some body from this Forum help us to summarise this discussion

please]

Dear forum

The Mapping of Vulnerable Population in Manipur.

I have no intention to direct or hurt any respondents and mainly my state but

want to highlight a few words in context of mapping of vulnerable groups

infected and affected with HIV/AIDS in Manipur since we have to accept the

changes while identifying a vulnerable population.

The 'purdah'(curtain), partition system of the restaurants is a well known and

famous within the circle of school going and college going groups in Manipur

context. Are they really aware of safe practices? Youths have no hangout or

let-out. Please mention if Manipur has any other than a cyber café- (where only

the haves can afford and that also only in town) and our society do

not change for good. They cannot be blamed for that as most are in the

transition phase to know new experience for which we need to advocate a

lot.

A time will come if this group is not targeted during the mapping as a

vulnerable population/group- the prevalence rates of infected and affected

will soar, with increasing Denial, Stigma, and Fear in the very near future.

Many unreported cases will be there for they will die of AIDS but not as spouses

of IDUs or say targeted groups targeted as vulnerable group under the NGOs. More

Denial and Fear of the same communities will be from these

types of vulnerable groups (not yet targeted) as they were not IDUs or Spouses

of IDUs (labeled as HIV carrier).

We can no longer but blame to IDUs or CSWs only but for what? As stated by

Chitra Ahanthem, Feature writer (HIV/AIDS) Imphal Free Press regarding Non -

Brothel Base Sex Workers operating on a mobile basis - As far as my

understanding they do come from all communities and do have their own

family whom she has to support in many cases. They have no option even

though some go for daily doses of drugs or easy money.

What alternative can we give for this form of mobile group taking into

consideration of the economic status/context? Many clients/customer seek

for them and nobody can do anything for that as we have to accept the oldest

profession in practice. They are hunted for they are at fault since we do

not know the cause as we always say.

They are not strangers like a Sex workers of a brothel and that is the

only vast difference. Who is vulnerable then? There is no relevance to the

impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic if intensive advocacy of safe

behavior/practices is not inculcated into the head of the targeted groups for

any of programme implemented till date. To have a vision to control the epidemic

needs safe behavioral practices which we have to accept for I am afraid that it

is not an acceptable statement for our society in Manipur.

They are all from within our community which we need to have an

approach suitable for an in- depth individual sharing/advocacy for safe

behaviors and practices but not only just targeted interventions.

I had also heard that MACS is undertaking area mapping (sites) for

identified targeted groups (IDUS, CSWs & MSM) and not vulnerable

population mapping

Ak. D. S

Imphal, Manipur

E-mail: <fxbmanipur@...>