Where is GIPA in Kerala?

[Guest guest]

Dear forum members

Re: /message/10151

This is in response to the posting of Mr Ajai , KSAC.

I would like to share the experience of Kerala Positive Women Network (KPWN+).

I understand that GIPA is the meaningful involvement of people living with HIV/

AIDS in planning, decision making, monitoring and implementing the HIV/AIDS

program. People living with HIV are very well placed to do that.

I would like to brief you all about what is happening in Kerala – being a

positive person myself and having involved in supporting Kerala State AIDS

Control Society in many ways – I feel the current scenario is a sad reminder of

what the GIPA has been reduced to. I don’t see the meaningful involvement

happening.

· KSACS have always flaunted the support to people living with HIV –

there is this feeling sent to national and international forum that GIPA has

been considered but in “ people living with HIV are their mascots and does not

have any say.

· As Ajai had written ‘The coordination committee organized by KSAC

on 6/3/2009 with prior discussion with PLHA network’ – I am surprised that was

to happen of 6th of March, 2009 at Trivandrum, I only received an invitation on

5th March .

· When the plan was made for a “coordination committee’ – we ( Kerala

Positive Women Network) was not discussed with.

· What is the purpose/ expectation from such a committee, objective

of the committee, who would be part of it, who would convene it, what would be

pattern of the meeting , how will the communication be, how would decisions be

sought, what would be role of the convener etc was not discussed with us before

organizing it.

KSACS is currently in the mode of deciding everything by them selves and

involvement of PLHA is just a façade - I strongly believe that its not GIPA .

Behavior change of the officials at KSACS should first change only then the HIV

and AIDS programs will go successfully.

The behavior of constantly sidelining/ patronizing the people living with HIV to

be changed to a behavior of actively and meaningfully involving people living

with HIV.

I am standing within my limits of rights here – I am not asking for more … these

false claims of involvement of people living with HIV in their programs should

be put to an end. This stands good for the entire country -

Please take notice and do the needful.

Regards

Bindu

KPWN+

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Kerala Positive Women Network (KPWN+)

50/ 2733, First Floor, Pulickal House,

Bank Road, Vyttila, Cochin 19

Kerala

Phone 0484- 2112068

Website: www.kpwnplus.org

e-mail: <kpwnplus@...>