There are over 1 million transgender individuals in our country, but the larger society refuses to accept them within the regular social framework. They are socially outcastes, forced to live in poverty, earning their livelihood through singing and dancing at various social occasions like births and marriages.

Despite isolated efforts by human rights and other representative groups, there is prejudice in the Indian society against any individual who is perceived as a “sexual” anomaly. This discrimination transpires into human rights violation in many critical places – jobs are denied, sometimes hospitals shun them as patients, and sometimes families drive them out with out any support.

Historically the root of this project lies in few of those incidents which transform the thoughts of Transgenders from Malwani Community. It was sudden death of their fellow, who was suffering from HIV AIDs, brought to their notice that there is no single HIV preventive measure accessible to them, doctors and other hospital staffs are least bother to consider them as patient. It was an initial effort few of transgender, who decided to fight for their own rights, respect and space in society. Presently they are actively working with AASTHA project. It is a collaborative effort of FHI, SOSVA, NSVK and Transgender from Malvani Community.

The main focus of this project is to increase health seeking behavior amongst transgender in Malwani Community by providing STI treatment, creating conducive environment and enabling them to address their own issues. Our team supports them in developing their own professional skills to sustain their own organization.

Our Strategy:

Set-up additional project management systems to initiate project interventions with (Transgender) TG and regular partners.

Increase awareness about STI, HIV/ AIDS and encourage safe sex practices among (Transgender) TG and regular partners.

Increase access to STI treatment services among (Transgender) TG and their regular partners.

Create an enabling environment to reduced stigma and discrimination and sustained behaviour change.

Promotion of Aastha Gat and various community lead committees of TG for self- reliance, empowerment and improved health.

Our Achievements:

a) We managed to register 1100 transgender in the Malwani area.

b) Drop In Center (DIC), Static Clinic and Office were set up in Sector no. 06. Various Aastha services were provided throughout the year to the TG of the Malwani such as STI treatment by static clinic and health camps, Condoms, awareness sessions, community mobilization events / programmes, support regarding the advocacy issues, quality counseling, Capacity building on various issues to overall staff.

c) NSVK peer educator and community members have won awards during the Peer Sammellan organized by Family Health International in Mumbai.

d) TG of Malwani organized silent march till Malwani police station to pay tribute to the Mumbai bomb blast victim. This initiative was extremely appreciate by police seniors, political parties in Malwani.

Stories:

Mantra is a busy and successful Aastha worker. Her clients vouch for her support and this has helped her erase memories of the days when she was one of the many transsexuals. Her struggle for her identity spoiled her relationship with family members and left her with a strong will to follow her heart……! However she miss her family…and become emotional whenever she think of them. But also convince herself by saying this is not their fault. I cannot blame them. Our society is such…..people aren’t aware about us and treat us like aliens. My mother still calls me up but unable to accept me the way I am. But now I like myself the way I am.

Today, Mantra is courting success after a lot of trauma.” I am more than happy with my work for my own community. Never in my dreams did I think of living a respectful life that this profession has bestowed on me. I have mental peace and satisfaction,” she says

Migrant Project

Mumbai is a city of opportunities .Everyday, thousands of people pour into Mumbai from all over India in search of better opportunities and better living. Most often, these migrants leave behind their families in their native places .For years on end, they live in crowded shanties, devoid of the basic hygiene and civic facilities. Many of them work in tiny units as unskilled or skilled laborers and also live there.

 

This migrant population is considered as bridge group for HIV Aids .Due to lack of knowledge of safe sex practices, these migrant workers are posing to be a constant source of concern of Health authorities tackling the menace of HIV-AIDs and sexually transmitted Infections (STIs)

 

To tackle this problem in an all encompassing manner, Maharashtra District Aids Control Society, the representative body of Central Government has roped in some select non governmental organizations and has started tackling this grave issue on a war footing by launching the “Migrant Total Intervention Project”

 

In this project, three fold strategy is followed:

 

1. Survey of the selected area and mapping of migrant population in the           locality

2. Establishing rapport with them by fortnightly visits

3. Educating them in use of condom to avoid HIV infections.

4. Making available free condoms by opening condom distribution centers.