National strategic meeting for Male sex worker in India

[Guest guest]

Dear List,

The population of Male Sex Workers is quite significant in India. They multiply

their sexual encounter as they cater to men as homosexual as well as women

clients. Male sex workers are also a sexual minority apart from the ‘hijra’

community, the population as a community in India are a heavily stigmatised

group, and remain socially and politically marginalized. HIV prevention

programme directed at MSM not geared towards meeting the specific need of male

sex workers.

In light of this situation, it becomes necessary to critically evaluate the

existing situation and produce a strategy that can counter the stigma at the

social and political levels and reduce the vulnerability to HIV/AIDS. Network of

Indian Male Sex Workers (NIMSW) is an association of the organisations

representing fourteen states and 22 organisation working on the issues of Male

Sex Workers. Since its inception in 2003, the network has been promoting the

need and rights of male sex workers . The network wish to organise a National

level consultation meeting and strategic planning workshop to decide and

finalise the direction this network should take on. The meeting would be an

opportunity to discuss the key issues concerning male sex workers in India

including HIV/AIDS.

This national consultation meeting and strategic planning workshop is supported

by Sexual Health resource Centre, New Delhi. Participants are invited from

various state organiation across the country. NIMSW also want to invite

representatives from NACO.UNAIDS and key NGOs working the same areas. SHRC is

also willing to support in making the programme viable for the network by

providing technical support. The meeting can be seen as an opportunity, when

these key persons, and a training programme for the invitees be organized which

will help the member organizations to conduct pilot studies in some priority

areas more effectively.

Objectives of the Workshop

· To advocate the issue of Male Sex Workers and sensitise the policy makers to

have specific intervention

· To share the common issues of concern and bring about an understanding towards

the future course of action

· To enable the member organisations of the network to identify the capacity

building requirement to address the issues of MSWs more effectively

· To provide technical support to member organisation in conducting pilot

studies in their respective areas

Time frame

The workshop is planned for a period of 3 days during 22,23,24 December 2004 in

Delhi.

Methodology

The methodology for the workshop would have mix of the presentations, discussion

lecture sessions, interactive discussion, Group work and presentation by

member organisations from their field experience. On third day ,participants

would be asked to identify a priority area of research on which detailed

research plan can be developed.

The participants would also be requested to bring with them data and information

related to existing intervention/coverage of male sex workers in their

respective areas, problems being faced and future plans.

Expected Outcomes

· What are the major issues concerning MSWs in the context of HIV/AIDS which

need immediate attention

· The network to have a clear direction and strategise its future course of

action

· Enhanced capacity of the member organisation to advocate the issue and address

the specific need of MSWs in more effective manner

· What are the areas of research/pilot studies to be conducted in the respective

areas of member organisation

· How to develop an organisation structure and organ gram to improve of the

functioning of the network

We invite your suggestion and comment about MSW and its integration in the

HIV/AIDS prevention program. Interested may contact the secretariet of the

nationalp support organization PLUS- plus@... or nimsw@...

Or may call us at+91 9830510527.

Thanks

Agniva Lahiri

National coordinator

Network of Indian Male Sex workers

E-mail: <nimsw@...>