Coalition Based Advocacy Project

Building the Capacity of People Living with HIV and Sexual Minorities in Orissa and West Bengal to Advance their Health and Rights (2008-13)

In partnership with Interact Worldwide, London and funded by the Department for International Development – Civil Society Challenge Fund, Glasgow

This project aims to contribute to poverty reduction through improved health equity, particularly with regards to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and HIV/AIDS, for sexual minorities and people living with HIV (PLHIV), in line with the Government of India’s National AIDS Control Programme – Phase III (2007-2012) and the Reproductive and Child Health Programme – Phase II (2004-2009). The project will achieve this through empowerment of sexual minorities and PLHIV in Orissa and West Bengal to know, promote and exact their Rights to Life and Health as enshrined in the Indian Constitution.

The project has the following four main outputs:

1. Identification and capacity building of leaders from among sexual minority and PLHIV communities in Orissa and West Bengal, enabling participation in advocacy initiatives through peer support and the creation of safe spaces

2. Creation and strengthening of civil society coalitions that advocate for the rights of sexual minorities and PLHIV in Orissa and West Bengal, and monitor and enforce implementation and development of relevant policies

3. Improved enabling environment locally and at the district / state level through increased linkages of sexual minorities and PLHIV and key influencers or stakeholders  

4. Improved access to and uptake of SRH and support services by sexual minorities and PLHIV in Orissa and West Bengal

Main Activities: The project will build an enabling environment within which individuals and civil society coalitions representing sexual minorities and PLHIV are empowered to advocate for their rights and improve equity in SRH and HIV/AIDS services.

These individuals and coalitions will receive training and support to lobby for equitable service delivery and increased service coverage, build an evidence base of rights violations, advocate for the creation and/or amendment of appropriate policy, and monitor policy implementation.

An advocacy strategy will be developed based on stakeholder analysis and policy research. Targeted advocacy campaigns will be conducted with a range of stakeholders, including the general public and the media, in order to reduce stigma and discrimination and increase understanding of the needs and rights of sexual minorities and PLHIV.

An information resource centre will be established in each state, including a telephone and e-mail helpline and referrals to specialist services for those individuals struggling to access SRH and HIV/AIDS related services, including legal aid, anti-retroviral treatment, psycho-social supporwt, and services for those suffering from sexuality related violence.

Beneficiaries: The direct beneficiaries or primary stakeholders of the project will be sexual minorities and PLHIV in Orissa and West Bengal, and their networks, support groups and communities. Emphasis will be put on the participation of those sub-sections of these groups of people, which have the least representation in current advocacy initiatives and possess the least amount of resources to protect their rights. The secondary stakeholders will include the families and friends of sexual minorities and PLHIV; doctors and para-medical workers; judges and lawyers; police and administration officials; teachers; artists; media persons; human rights and other social workers; religious, political and other community leaders; policy makers; and the public at large.

Please click here to see the Bengali version of the project summary.

Please click here to see the project structure and components and documents showing progress on various fronts of the project. For a graphic representation of the project structure and components, please click here.

Please click here to read the project baseline study report. Click here to read the executive summary of the report in Bengali version.