Re: Selection Criteria of GIPA Coordinator in SACS -MIPA Missing

[Guest guest]

Dear Forum Members

Re: /message/9203

Futher to the discussion on the selection criteria for GIPA Coordinators

position, I have had the opportunity to see the advertisment, which invites

candidates who are only People Living with HIV, graduates and those who are not

attached to any network.

From our experience in working in Care & Support for People Living with HIV, it

has been observed that very few people who are Graduates and above, are open

about their status, and willing to be AIDS Activists or even take up jobs in the

field of HIV/AIDS.

I feel the minimum qualification for the post can be HSC and above, and the

crieteria should be that the person needs to be aware of issues of PLHIV,

sensitive, commited and passionate about the cause.

I also believe that the work the networks have been doing over the years cannot

be totally ignored, as we are seeing many emerging HIV positive leaders who are

open about their status and are role models to society, and they have been

instrumental in changing the face of the epidemic in the country, which I

believe, would have been a diffcult task with out the role of positive networks.

Also the empowerment process of an HIV positive person begins, when he/she is

involved with networks and see more people like him/her who are living lives

positively, and this cannot happen in isolation.

Hence it is unfair to ask for the candidate not to be attached to any networks.

I am sure NACO and the State Aids Control Society will look into these aspects

and make the necessary changes.

 

In Solidarity

 

Jaya Nair

Projects Manager

Udaan + Maharashtra

E-MAIL: <udaantu@...>

[Guest guest]

Dear Forum Members

Re: /message/9203

 

I am in agreement to what the previous members have already shared and

understand that the solution lies in a more coherent effort.

Further to that, I think the GIPA issue needs more exposure and introspection,

at all levels, whether Government or NGOs, Positive networks, Corporates or

anybody else for that matter. The issue is not mainstreamed, not mainstreamed in

all walks of life, and as Mr. Kawi rightly pointed out, limited to lip service

only.

 

Here, I would like to mention that working is about knowledge and ability and

not about what you know or what you have. We fail to understand this.

It's a pity that even after more than 2 decades of living with the virus and so

much of resources pumped in, there still are concerning issues revolving around

GIPA and Rights of People with HIV.

But I feel that very little has been done to build the capacities of People with

HIV to enable them lead from the front. The virus is not there by choice and

needs no specific qualifications to infect.

That makes the difference and calls for not just a Greater Involvement, but a

Meaningful Involvement of People with HIV who belong to all the sections

of society; whether literate or illiterate, rich or poor.

Most of the times, the networks are represented by a few selected people. There

should be efforts to build the second line, third line leadership within

networks as well.

It's not about recruiting an 'Angutha Chaap' or a trained professional; its

about respecting rights, right to live with dignity, right to live with freedom

and right to work.

In solidarity.

Saud Akhtar

STOP AIDS NOW!

e-mail: <saud_akhtar27@...>

[Guest guest]

Dear Moderator,

Re: /message/9274

I am a little shocked at the continious insistence that only people

from networks are more qualified, as their sensitivity " would have

been a diffcult task without the role of positive networks " . This is

sheer pretentious piffle.

Also I am a bit surprised to be informed so authoritatively that

graduates are " not open about their status " .

Not only are these gross generalisations but outrageously subjective

and judgemental about educational qualifications. From where does all

this kind of inferiority complex come from? Ashok Pillai would turn

in his grave if he read all this.

Given half a chance i would judge a person by his communication

skills, his commitment and his willingness to work for the cause.

I don't know how I am going to judge somebody being " passionate about

the cause " or is there some special test for this i should be

informed about?

As it is, Jaya Nair should know how difficult it is to get people to

work for HIV prevention work. I have heard qualified and highly

professional people refusing to work in this field because " it is

full of extremely self-righteous people who think they know

everything just because they are HIV positive " . Over and above

certain exclusive criteria is being put about being part of networks

and relaxation of educational qualifications. It's as if PLHAs seem

to be wanting to monopolise GIPA jobs and make them suitable for each

other.

Jaya Nair does not seem to know that there is such a thing

called " conflict of interest " . In such a sensitive issue where PLHAs

are involved, what guarantee is there that people from networks do

not monopolise the scarce resources that come to the bottom of the

PLHA pyramid as Kumar has pointed out?

Though it is tragic that PLHAs are not getting the advertised GIPA

Coordinator jobs, it might be useful to find out the reasons. TNSACS

is headed by an extremely dynamic and sensitive PD and I doubt if she

would go out of the way to exclude PLHAs who are qualified for the

job. Giving statistics alone might not help. They are finally what

Churchill called " Damn Statistics " .

I still say that we have no clue as to how to recruit people and

search agencies must be employed to get the people with requisite

skills for specialised jobs.This is becoming a free-for-all where it's become

more of a rush to the banquet table as we see at dinner

parties in Indian weddings.

Ashok Row Kavi

Consultant, MSM/TG issues

UNAIDS, India

e-mail: <arowkavi@...>

[Guest guest]

Dear FORUM,

Re: /message/9297

This is in response to Mr. Ashok Row Kavi's posting on the issue of the

Selection Criteria of GIPA Coordinator in SACS -MIPA Missing

Being any HIV/AIDS Professional, it very  is easy to blaim People Living with

HIV Community, who are fighting for their Rights or dyeing without Treatment by

making such remank, " It's as if PLHAs seem to be wanting to monopolise GIPA jobs

and make them suitable for each other " !

I am sorry to say Sir, yes according " International GIPA Agreement " GIPA is only

to include PLWH and as signatory country " India has to follow that Principle

without any YES/BUT " !

 

As an UNAIDS representative, have you ever gone through GIPA documents published

by UNAIDS?

Do you think Indian PLWH comminuty are " Citizens of Democratic India " ? If so,

then none like NACO/SACS can violate or ignore " International Human Rights

Obligations " or put any criteria like not to belong to any PLWH Network !

Which is again against " Indian Contitution " .

 

Are those staff of UNAIDS, NACO, SACS are not attached to any Professional

unions, associations or networks?

 

If so, then why not PLWH?

 

Looking forward for your reply!

Thanking you,

In solidarity,

 

Snehansu Bhaduri,

New Delhi

snehansu.bhaduri@...

Mobile: 9211957730

[Guest guest]

Dear Moderator,

Re: /message/9274

 

It might be a difficult proposition to dilute selection criteria.

Positions like GIPA coordinator require a challenging combination of knowledge,

GIPA perspective and skills - management, communication, networking,

negotiation, etc. It is important that efforts are made to search and identify

suitable candidates for GIPA coordinator.

The fear, apparently now, is whether one would be able to find someone from the

PLHAs network. One possible alternative is to identify potential set of PLHAs,

who are either part of PLHA network or otherwise, for such positions and put

them through professional training modules to equip them with skill sets

required (6 months is minimum requirement).

This would ensure that a pool of professionals with required management and soft

skills are available to effectively function at such important positions.

Otherwise, it would be a huge waste of time, resources and importantly a set

back for HIV/AIDS programming.

 

Xavier Raj, Ph.D.

Head-SERC

Synovate Ltd.

e-mail: <xavier.raj@...>