GAWA Campaign 2008

Programme dates: 18th May to 25th May, 2008

Campaign carried out in: 7 districts of Maharashtra. ? Umerga, Parbhani, Solapur, Sangli, Satara, Yavatmal and Pune.

Background ::

The GAWA campaign for the year 2008 was organised with an aim to intensify and deepen the on going fight against spreading of HIV/AIDS. It was in continuation to our earlier efforts under GAWA to spread awarness and information about HIV/AIDS amongst the various stakeholders on the aspects of prevention, support-rehabilitation needs and rights of the infected people. Over last 2 years CYDA and its network members including APACHA-India organized several activities under GAWA to unite PLHAS to fight for their rights and HIV/AIDS, spread awareness amongst the public, pressurizing the government to pass the HIV/AIDS Bill.

Under the GAWA campaign 2008, various activities were carried out in the seven districts identified for the 2008 intervention. Conventions were organised to facilitate sharing of the problems and experiences of the PLHAs. In some cases the campaign was led by HIV positive people, which motivated many more PLHAs to come forward and participate. Street theaters, candle light rallies and signature campaigns were major tools to awaken the people at large and the government bodies to fight the epidemic. The response was remarkable and is showing multiplying effect. People have become more conscious about their rights and caring about PLHAS.

Advocacy

Feedback ::

The PLHAs expressed their dissatisfaction with the NGO efforts and the medical services provided by the government. The points they made were:

There is lack of any concrete assistance from most of the NGOs working on issue of HIV/AIDS, whose efforts are only limited to awareness building.

Non/Poor implementation of government programmes has resulted the PLHAs not being able to benefit from the concessions entitled to them.

Financial constraints render them unable to afford expensive medicines.

Insensitivity on the part of medical staff towards handling critical patients of HIV.

Need for insurance facilities for children of PLHA

Impacts of the campaign ::

The interactions with the local corporators and government bodies was a successful effort as it resulted in assurances of unrestricted and prompt help whenever asked for. They promised to give all assistance in whatever form required.

A common feedback received from all the districts was that of an increased level of awareness amongst the public and other stakeholders of the issue.

The mobilization and participation of various stakeholders of the HIV/AIDS issue in large numbers during the campaign has paved way for formation of ?Pressure Groups? in all the districts who will spearhead the movement further.

In various districts, local groups were formed, coordinated various efforts at the district levels to provide an organized form to the efforts towards combating HIV/AIDS.

The fact that youth and PLHAs were brought together on one platform, had helped to increase the intensity and energy of the campaign extensively. It also promoted the need for inclusion of the positive people into mainstream and denounce the taboos associated with HIV infection.

The PLHAs participating in the campaign got inspiration, encouragement and a direction to fight for their rights and their privileges entitled to them through the various government programmes for their support and rehabilitation.

The GAWA campaign in Solapur district has helped in formation of a strong group of around 250 people motivated and oriented to work towards the issue of combating HIV/AIDS.

The GAWA campaign and other past interventions in association with CYDA, in Solapur district has helped the local partners ?Astitva Samaj Vikas Sanstha? to enhance their image from a awareness building organization to an organisation with a wider perspective on the issue,and working on related issues of livelihoods of PLHAs

Followup measures for the future.

A regular follow up by pressure groups, with the MLAs and other corportors approached during the campaign will be maintained at district level to expedite the assurances received during GAWA on the issues and demands put in front of them.

To strengthen the pressure groups formed during GAWA, various initiatives will be planned to further sensitize and orient the group members. This would enhance their capacities to effectively spearhead their fight for the rights of PLHAs.