Much has been said about India’s success in containing the spread of the AIDS epidemic. But can it build on the progress so far and ensure that survivors receive the dignity and social security they need? Pushpa Achanta’s conversations on the eve of World AIDS Day aren’t heartening.
Those in the 50-plus age group form the second largest chunk of HIV infected persons. But this group is clearly not at the heart of the
AIDS control programme.
Puja Awasthi
reports.
HIV-positive children in Assam and their families need more than the usual measures of state support for their economic, medical and
social needs.
Ratna Bharali Talukdar
reports.
The risk to the unborn child from an HIV-infected mother is significant, but with advances in science and medical care,
more women are hopeful about choosing to keep the child.
Puja Awasthi
reports.
While those with mental disorders are at increased danger for being infected with HIV, the onset of the virus itself gives rise to a number of mental
illnesses.
Puja Awasthi
reports.
Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Kapil Sibal would do well to assess the learnings from two recent and major HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns, before "looking into the ban on sex education", if he really wants to make change, writes
Charumathi Supraja.
A new anthology AIDS Sutra has 16 renowned literary figures writing about the AIDS epidemic in India and how different communities across the country are grappling with it.
Sumita Thapar
has more.
Debates on HIV estimates often take time away from the
real issues - those that can
only be shared by people infected and affected by
the infection. The issue that
is truly critical and demands everyone's attention
is that of the stigma and discrimination
associated with HIV/AIDS, writes
Syed Mohammad Afsar,
on World AIDS Day.
The expression 'women at risk' can no longer be
used to describe only those engaged in sex work, and that strategies to address women's vulnerability to HIV must therefore take into account their
varied risks, writes
Sumita Thapar.
In brothels of West Bengal, there is high awareness of the risk to HIV. Women are not taking any chances. Response to the newly introduced female
condom is picking up.
Sumita Thapar
reports.
HIV-positive children are being thrown out of school in Uttar Pradesh by insensitive
teachers and parents alike. Many parents are afraid to let schools know that their
children are positive, and the state's machinery has failed to raise any
awareness, as a major study has shown.
Puja Awasthi
sounds the warning bells.
A six-month research study to understand violence against HIV affected women revealed key contours of pre-contractual and post-contractual threats and
risks that women face.
Shoma Chatterji
reports on a workshop where the findings were discussed.