15 Years of TARSHI: Some Highlights

Report | 2011 | TARSHI

From a small project that started as a telephone helpline, TARSHI has grown in the last 15 years into a resource on issues of sexuality and rights. Today, TARSHI conducts trainings and workshops, develops publications for diverse audiences, pushes for comprehensive sexuality education, advocates for sexual and reproductive rights for all, and operates a phone information line. We are constantly exploring innovative ways to make the promise of sexual well-being a reality for all. Easier said than done. It’s been an exciting and challenging journey – one that is far from over!

Download the PDF to join us in recalling some of the highlights along the way.

To most people, sexuality and disability seem to be unconnected terrains. However, the reality is that people with disabilities are also sexual beings with sexual fantasies, feelings and aspirations like anyone else. They are unable sometimes to express their sexuality fully not so much because of a disability but because of the restriction of their mobility, negative societal attitudes and the lack of educational, entertainment, social and health services and rights that are available to other people.

Sexuality and Disability in the Indian Context presents an overview of the current scenario in India vis a vis sexuality and disability. This working paper is a collation of information and resources based on interviews with people with disabilities and with their parents, teachers, and other care providers. It also draws upon secondary research to examine existing laws and policies relevant to sexuality and disability in India.

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In June 2007, the South and Southeast Asia Resource Centre, hosted by TARSHI, convened a Regional Consultation on Affirming Sexuality to look at the ways in which sexuality is and can be affirmed in this region and to suggest potential action and strategies. The consultation brought together 30 participants from 11 countries, from a range of backgrounds, including activists, advocates, reproductive health service providers, lawyers and journalists with a range of expertise on different sexuality issues in the South and Southeast Asia region.

Discussions were stimulated by short 'trigger presentations' designed to encourage debate around key themes. Affirming Sexuality summarises discussions on key themes and strategies for those working in the field of sexuality.

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How do Helplines manage? What challenges do they face? Are they similar or different? What strategies have they adopted to overcome these challenges and have they succeeded? Can we learn from those who have succeeded and from one another? 

TARSHI convened the third National Meeting of Helplines in New Delhi in September 2008 to address concerns related to sustainability with over 30 representatives from 25 organisations that run Helplines in different parts of the country. Participants were representatives of Helplines that address a diverse range of issues such as sexuality, child rights, women in crisis situations, mental health, suicide prevention and disability, HIV and AIDS, and de-addiction related issues. The meeting served as a platform to learn what works and how different strategies can be incorporated to keep Helplines operational for the communities they serve while sustaining a high quality of Helpline services.

Sustainability of Helplines is about the successful strategies adopted by Helplines, provides information for those planning to set up new Helplines and offers ideas to those struggling with ongoing sustainability issues so that others may learn from those who have walked this road before.

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Sexuality, Gender and Rights: Exploring Theory and Practice in South and Southeast Asia

Book | 2005 | Geetanjali Misra (CREA) and Radhika Chandiramani (TARSHI) (eds.) | Sage Publications

There is virtually no record of work on sexuality and rights in South and Southeast Asia, and even less to show how theory can link to practice. This volume analyses and documents the groundbreaking work done by many organisations to bring issues of sexuality and rights to public attention, to expand the freedoms of women and sexual minorities and to highlight the unfair distinctions faced by those not conforming to gender and sexual norms across a range of expressions, behaviours and identities in Asia.

This volume with 15 original essays covers eight countries in South and Southeast Asia. The contributors address issues of power and social hierarchies by using the principles of justice, equality, non-discrimination, and access to rights and services. They cover diverse issues like sexual rights, sexuality education, sexual health services, transsexuals and other sexual minorities, HIV/AIDS prevention, as well as sex work and the representation of sexuality in popular culture. They also offer a variety of strategies in advocacy, service delivery, education, training and media outreach activities. 

Contact Scholars Without Borders or Sage Publications to purchase a copy of the book.

Human Rights and the Criminalisation of Consensual Same-Sex Sexual Acts in the Commonwealth, South and Southeast Asia

Working Paper | 2008 | Sumit Baudh | TARSHI

This working paper draws attention to the criminalisation of consensual same-sex sexual acts in South and Southeast Asiaand the possible role the Commonwealth and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) of the United Kingdom can play in undoing the criminalisation.

The paper has been presented in its draft versions at the International Conference on LGBT Human Rights, 1st Asia Pacific Outgames, Melbourne, 30 – 31 Jan 2008; Equality in Diversity Now, 3rd ILGA-Asia Regional Conference, Chiangmai, Thailand, 24 – 27 Jan 2008; and the 4th Asia Pacific Conference on Reproductive and Sexual Health and Rights, Hyderabad, India, 30 Oct 2007.

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The TARSHI Helpline was the subject of the India study that was part of a larger study commissioned by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and implemented by The Royal Tropical Institute (KIT), Netherlands.  Entitled Assessing the Conditions and Quality of Counselling Related to Sexuality and Sexual Health in Uganda, Kenya, Braziland India, the study comprises of descriptive reviews of four programmes which are currently providing counselling that specifically address sexuality related issues.

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Report | 2007 | TARSHI

The TARSHI Helpline was set up in 1996 to provide information, counselling and referrals on sexuality and sexual and reproductive health and rights to people so that they could make informed choices. TARSHI is an NGO based in New Delhi, India and registered under the Societies Registration Act in 1997. The Helpline has responded to nearly 60,000 calls.

Talking About Sexuality presents the results of a preliminary analysis of 43,888 calls documented between 1996 and 2007.

The Hindi version of the Report is available here.

Sexuality Matters 

Report | 2007 | TARSHI

In September 2004, the South and Southeast Asia Resource Centre, hosted by TARSHI brought together 26 participants from 10 countries to discuss key regional sexuality issues at a consultation in Bali, Indonesia. Participants were drawn from a range of backgrounds, including activists, advocates, donors, reproductive health service providers, lawyers and journalists. Discussions were stimulated by short 'trigger presentations' designed to encourage debate around key themes. 

The report of the Consultation summarises discussions on the key themes and looks at strategies for those working in the field of sexuality.

The Need to Better Address Sexuality and Sexual Health Issues, Including Good Quality Sexuality Counselling in India 

Policy Brief | 2008 | SAHAJ and KIT

In order to generate an evidence base for developing guidelines on providing good quality sexuality counselling, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Royal Tropical Institute (KIT) conducted descriptive studies of four programmes in different countries. One of the programmes studied was the TARSHI Helpline. These studies aim to contribute to the knowledge base about identifying information needs around sexuality and identifying what is needed for good quality sexuality counselling services.

This policy brief summarises the findings of the review of TARSHI's telephone Helpline operating in New Delhi, India and discusses implications for policy on sexual and reproductive health and rights.

A Conversation on Sexual Rights in India is a report of a meeting organised by CREA, Sangama and TARSHI in January 2004. The meeting provided an opportunity to clarify thinking, build linkages, strengthen alliances, and dialogue through differences without privileging one position over another. This discussion is critical to the advancement of sexual rights. This report is a record of a conversation on sexual rights, containing diverse voices, views and opinions.

Cost: Rs. 250/- Contact us for a hard copy of the Report.
 

Sexuality and Sexual Behaviour: A Critical Review of Selected Studies (1990 – 2000)

Critical Review | 2000 | Radhika Chandiramani, Shagufa Kapadia, Renu Khanna and Geetanjali Misra l CREA

This review maps a decade of research in India on sexuality and sexual behaviour. It is part of a larger project, The Gender and Reproductive Health Research Initiative: Mapping a Decade of Reproductive Health (1990 - 2000), by the Gender and Reproductive Health Research Group in India.