Background:
In collaboration with Asha Mahila Sanstha, MDACS organized a 3 day festival to promote HIV-Awareness, Prevention and Testing. Mixed formats were used to appeal to different groups of audience.
Gharwalis are those who own the houses where the sex trade occurs. Every house has one Gharwali and 3-4 Female Sex Workers. The Gharwali runs the sex trade at her house.
The Gharwalis play a very important role in the AIDS awareness program. We need to reach out to the FSWs and the Gharwalis are the agents through whom we can reach the girls. The Gharwalis are influential and have a strong impact on the girls.
Click Here to read more about the Focus Group Discussion with Gharwalis.
Day 1: Training Workshops for 3 groups, namely
1. Paan Tapri walas
2. Pimps/Brothel Owners
3. CBO (Community Based Organisations) members
The target audience mentioned about are those that interact with FSWs on a daily basis. Hence targeting these gatekeepers and raising their knowledge on HIV will definitely result in conversation / interaction about HIV among the gatekeepers and the FSW.
This workshop was intended to sensitize gatekeepers and encourage them to share critical HIV related information to FSWs and their clients.
Day 2: General Health Checkup was organized for FSW with objective of encouraging them to get tested and informed about HIV & STI.
Day 3: An entertainment programme was organized to reinforce HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention messages.
DAY 1: TRAINING WORKSHOPS
There were approximately 100 people who attended this workshop. Dr. Shanbaug opened her talk with many live examples and real life stories to engage the audience and get them to pay complete attention. She gave them a lecture on general illness and the requirement of hygiene and then went on to talk to them about STI and HIV/AIDS. Even though the people present were uneducated, the simplicity of the class made it easy for them to relate to the talk.
The audience participated well during the interactive session and could answer a few of the questions put to them. Messages on maintaining hygiene, taking the right treatment and completing medicine courses, especially in the case of STI, were stressed upon. They all them promised to spread awareness of prevention of HIV/AIDS; use of condoms and the testing centres and the services they offer the public.
A condom demonstration was conducted by a peer educator of the NGO and Mr. Vijay Ajanikar (MDACS) and was made effective through a role play. The peer educator was clear in giving instructions. Mr. Ajanikar cleared audience’s doubts and myths, namely, the ineffective use of double condoms. He gave them clear details of ICTC and government hospitals were testing was possible.
In the end, a HIV +ve person spoke about his life and how he took care of himself. This was a great eye-opener for those present, driving away so many misconceptions.
There were approximately 50 people who attended this workshop. Mr. Vijay Ajanikar from MDACS opened the session. He broke the ice by sharing a personal experience, encouraging the audience to interact. Dr. Shanbaug used interesting examples from real life to talk to the audience that was not very educated.
Dr. Shanbaug explained to them about the illness that could be contracted by FSW (Female Sex Workers) and spoke about STI symptoms, the right medication and also the importance of completing the full course of treatment. She also spoke about transmission of HIV, prevention and more importantly, regular testing for the same.
A condom demonstration was given by the peer educator and Mr. Ajanikar. The importance of teaching the FSW and their clients about HIV-related information was reiterated.
A HIV Positive person shared his experience with the audience and cleared a number of doubts they had about the same.
GROUP 3: MEMBERS OF COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS
There were approximately 75 people who attended this workshop. Most of them were youth who were very attentive and receptive to the lecture. Dr. Shanbaug opened the session with clearing a number of misconceptions on HIV/AIDS and also explained to them the difference between HIV and AIDS.
While Dr. Shanbaug spoke to them about HIV Transmission, Prevention, Testing and the Treatment Services that were available, the audience responded with a number of intelligent questions, turning the session interactive in nature.
The session ended with a condom demonstration and also a talk by a HIV Positive person.
Day 2: GENERAL HEALTH CHECKUP
Since the FSW have a lot of health related problems, a general health check up was of utmost importance. And this general health check up gave way to the concept of getting tested on a regular basis. HIV, STI testing were part of the ‘general health check up.’
DAY 3: CULTURAL PROGRAMME
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| The cultural programme had a huge and appreciative audience |
The cultural programme started from 4 pm. While there were about 100 people at the beginning, the numbers swelled to more than 200 as the programme went on. The people taking part were mostly women.
There were song-dance sequences to begin with that was later on followed by a play that lasted for an hour and a half. It was very clear in imparting the messages on HIV/AIDS and STI while depicting the life of a FSW. It held a lot of appeal to those present considering the rapt attention with which they watched the drama.
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| The women made colourful Rangolis in celebration |
IMPACT:
• Helped inform & sensitize external gatekeepers like brothel owners, pimps and CBOs through training workshops and encouraged them to inform FSWs (or those at High Risk) and clients of FSW about critical HIV/AIDS messages.
• Cleared the doubts of FSWs through general checkup and informed them about the technical details related to the infection.
• Reinforced messages about HIV transmission, prevention and testing through an entertainment based model which was liked and enjoyed by the majority.
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