Invitation to the dissemination meeting: The research study-Men Matter On 12th February 08

[Guest guest]

Dear Forum Members

The India HIV/AIDS Alliance in collaboration with INP+, Social Awareness Service

Organisation, Sahara, Humsafar Trust and VSSA conducted a research study for

assessing Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) needs and barriers for

marginalised groups. It is a qualitative study conducted in five states - Andhra

Pradesh, Delhi, Manipur, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu that explored the SRH needs

and barriers to SRH services among marginalised populations such as: men in

slums; male injecting drug users (IDUs); men who have sex with men (MSM); hijras

/ aravanis (transwomen); and men living with HIV.

The Alliance is organising a dissemination meeting on the findings of

the research study- " Men Matter " - Assessing Sexual and Reproductive

Health Needs and Barriers for Marginalised Groups at

Hotel Grand Sartaj, A-3, Green Park, Aurobindo Marg, New Delhi-16

On 12th February. from 10 am to 2 pm.

HIV-related sexual risk behaviours have been studied and documented

among various subgroups of men (e.g. men who have sex with men and

hijras) in India but there are very few research studies on SRH needs of men

available in comparison to those of women. There is minimal data available on

SRH services for men, whether these services are accessible and utilised, and

what are possible solutions by which we can improve access to and utilisation of

those services if personal and structural barriers are removed.

The Alliance anticipates that this study will contribute towards

designing appropriate policies and programmes to meet the sexual and

reproductive health needs of various sub-groups of men, and inform the

development of improved linkages between broader sexual and reproductive health

services and HIV-related services for men in India. Being a small study it has

also thrown up many areas for further research.

Thanks

Padma Buggineni

Senior Policy Officer

India HIV/AIDS Alliance

Kushal House, Third Floor,

39 Nehru Place, New Delhi 110 019

India

Switchboard: +91-11-4163 3081 Ext. 135

Fax: +91-11-4163 3085

Email: pbuggineni@...

Websites: www.aidsalliance.org; www.aidsmap.com