Goa: Fighting Stigma & Discrimination at the Community level.

[Guest guest]

Dear Forum,

Greetings from Positive Lives Goa " PLG " !

As a part of networking and advocacy effort of Positive Lives Foundation “PLF –

Goa organized a community event through networking to promote a human rights

issues of PLHAs and create " Positive Prevention Massages, an Image " in

Collaboration with local Mahila Mandal, on Sunday, 25th March 2007, 3.p.m to

7.p.m, at Pratap Nagar, Dharbandora, Usgoa Tisker, Ponda Goa.

Welcome session chaired with brief note of the program by Mrs. Nirmala Rewanker,

Social Worker and President of Mahila Mandal.

Introduced Mr. Jaffer Inamdar, Program Manager / Founder President of Positive

Lives Foundation “PLF – Goa” gave a talk on HIV / AIDS / STIs, Positive Living

with HIV, as a Positive Speaker share his own experience to sensitize community

on issues of People Living with HIV/AIDS, being HIV+ve body for the past 12

years leading happy and healthy life devoid of medication. How community treated

him when publicly disclosed his status by coming out openly first time in Goa in

2001 and negative attitude of the community concerning to PLHAs.

As well as highlighted how women’s are becoming infected from their husband in

India. He also stressed to take protective and preventive measures from becoming

infected with HIV Virus, by empowering those women’s and individual

responsibilities fighting HIV/AIDS, treating HIV Positive People with respect

and dignity.

Adv. Sitaram R. Singal B.Sc. LLB Chief Guest of the function gave a speech on

important of HIV AIDS as a social and development issues and to tackle a

seriously preventing spread of HIV/AIDS in Goa. Also reveal to the community to

give information to others what Jaffer shared and his example

Mr. Govind Vithal Sawant Congress Member and South Goa Zilla Panchayat, guest of

hounor presented on women’s empowerment and how women’s can prevent HIV/AIDS.

Mr. Vinay Tendulker BJP member Special Guest given a speech on Women’s Power in

the community fighting HIV Virus.

Mrs. Sakuntala Bola Goanker member of Mahila Mandal were guest of honor present

on the occasion. Mr. Nitin Rewanker well wisher of the community given a vote of

thanks to all audience and guest.

Nearly 300 local community people participated in the program majority audience

was women’s; teen age Children’s and mans was also part of the program. Response

was very good educating community at the grass root level. This community people

belong to labour catagery practicing unsafe sexual behavior they may be positive

but do not know they status. Mostly migrated from Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerla

and others part of neighboring states for they daily living. Our few PLHAs

members are from same area.

FIGHTING STIGMA & DISCRIMINATION

Concluded with feedback from the community their said, before they do not know

anything about HIV/AIDS and never seen any HIV positive person before, when they

saw Jaffer they shocked could not believe that HIV positive can too live normal

healthy life. Even people contacted him personally for further more information,

HIV testing and also to discuss about they health condition and problems. It was

reduced Myth and Misconception about HIVAIDS and increases the visibility of

PLHA among general community to better response to HIV epidemic in Goa through

personal testimony. Furthermore, briefed about Drop – In - Centre of PLF-Goa and

its services as a helpline for HIV positive people in Goa.

Therefore, we would like to intimate you that we have been change our

organisation name from “Positive Lives Foundation “PLF” to Positive Lives Goa

(PLG).

For further references “Positive Lives Goa “PLG”.

Warm regards

Sincerely

Famida Shaikh

Program Assistant

POSITIVE LIVES GOA “PLG”

&

PLG POSITIVE WOMEN FORUM IN GOA

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POSITIVE LIVES GOA “PLG”

AP/41, G.2., C.P. Villa, Opp. Petrol Pump,

Near Sriram Super Market, Green View Appt,

Betim Road, Alto Porvorim, Goa - 403521

Phone: 91 – 832 – 2415389

Mobile: 9371186773

Email: plfgoa@... / plf@...

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