HIV/AIDS Infection Rate Declines, But Situation Still Challenging
Republica - Kathmandu, Nepal, 11/30/2013
After the 25 years since the first case of HIV and AIDS was recorded in the country, the rate of infection seems to be decreasing. National HIV and AIDS Strategy (2010-2016) aims to decrease HIV prevalence rate by 50 percent, AIDS related deaths by 25 percent and HIV prevalence in newborns by 90 percent, compared to the situation in 2010. According to latest data compiled by the National Center for AIDS and STD Control (NCASC), 1,088 new HIV cases have been reported in 2012. Altogether 1,437 cases were reported in 2011, down from 1,751 cases in 2010.
On-Air Activism
The Hindu, India, 11/30/2013
Since its inception in September this year, Q Radio, one of the 22-odd channels of the online radio portal radiowalla.in and India’s first radio channel for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community (LGBT), has received much attention for its content. This channel is not only meant for the community, but also for its allies and supporters. The shows, from Between The Sheets, Queerilicious, Heart to Heart with Innersight, Let’s Get Beyond Ties, HqO, Lavender Life and Q Live Debate address myriad issues related to the community and general issues that affect everybody, irrespective of gender and sexuality. ‘Q Radio is a different kind of activism,’ says Anil Srivatsa, co-founder and CEO of Radiowalla Network Private Limited. ‘It is a platform for a community to come together and tell their stories. It’s a unifying force.’
Tamil Nadu Schools Begin Gender Identity Sessions
The Times of India - Chennai, India, 11/29/2013
In a society where talking about sex is still a taboo, lessons in gender identity are far from the norm. But some schools in Tamil Nadu are now inviting transgender activists and counsellors to sensitise students and staff about the community and its problems. This, they feel, will help wipe out discrimination against trangender people. Apart from the talk session, teachers and students are also encouraged to depict what they feel about the community through art. The sessions are usually held for children from Class 8 to Class 11 who, educationists feel, are of an age to understand the issues. Teachers are also sensitised so that they are better equipped to handle gender variant children.
Injecting Drug Users Most Vulnerable to HIV/AIDS
The Times of India, India, 11/29/2013
According to the latest report by the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), HIV prevalence among people who inject drugs is as high as 7.17 per cent. Experts put the blame for the high figure in India on the poor background of drug users as well as the draconian Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, which criminalises the drug user along with peddlers. ‘People who inject drugs face widespread discrimination, physical violence, hostility and harassment at social, medical and legal levels. This drives them away from availing services which can prevent at least the transmission of HIV and AIDS,’ said Francis Joseph, programme officer, `Hridaya` project, run by the India HIV and AIDS Alliance under the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) - III.
Bali Urged to Strive For HIV/AIDS MDGs Target
The Jakarta Post - Bali, Indonesia, 11/29/2013
Bali has made significant progress in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), except in the fields of HIV and AIDS and the environment. The proportion of residents receiving HIV and AIDS information had only reached 29 percent, far below the targeted 95 percent. Condom use had also yet to reach its target. The use of condoms is part of the attempt to reduce HIV transmission. All the indicators related to HIV and AIDS were marked as ‘need special attention’.
`Support, Don`t Patronise Us`, Say Proud Members of the LGBT Community
Hindustan Times, India, 11/29/2013
The sixth edition of the gay pride parade was held in Delhi on November 24, 2013. Many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender marchers covered up. They had not come out to their families and friends yet. But for every person under cover, there were proud members of the LGBT community accompanied by their supporters. And supporting isn’t patronising. You don’t ‘patronise’ a child learning to ride a bike.
Only 75 HIV- AIDS Cases This Year, as Compared to 122 in 2012
The Indian Express - Chandigarh, India, 11/29/2013
The number of HIV and AIDS cases in Chandigarh has witnessed a decline. The State AIDS Control Society (SACS) will launch a new programme `Integrated Biological Behaviour Surveillance` (IBBS) in January, under which high-risk groups will be interviewed and behavioural indicators collected. The study will help analyse and understand HIV-related vulnerabilities and risk profiles among key risk groups in different regions by linking behaviours with biological findings.
Taking the Stigma Out of Sex Crimes
The Hindu, India, 11/28/2013
Rape has always been seen as a stigma that only the woman victim has to bear. It is vital to change this perspective. It is not easy for victims of rape and sexual abuse to discuss the incident, but social and legal systems must make it easy for them. It is here that impartial and clinical reporting, whether in online or offline media, becomes of paramount importance. It must be established that rape is just another cowardly and contemptible crime such as armed assault. When a house-owner is bludgeoned on the head and robbed, the narrative serves only to confirm the seriousness of the crime and the culpability of the burglar. Such a narrative must be established for rape as well; where shame for the victim is removed from the equation and what’s left are only the physical details themselves, for better or for worse.
Kashish Voted Among Top 5 Coolest LGBT Film Fests
Daily News and Analysis - Mumbai, India, 11/28/2013
Kashish Mumbai International Queer Film Festival has been voted among MovieMaker Magazine’s 2013 top five coolest LGBT film festivals in the world. Kashish, which debuted in 2010, is South-Asia’s biggest and India’s only mainstream LGBT film festival. The magazine said, ‘Kashish means attraction or allurement in Urdu - a word we’d like to incorporate into our vocabulary.’ Kashish was the only Indian film festival to be featured in the list.
Drive Against Gender Violence Begins in Chennai
The Hindu - Chennai, India, 11/27/2013
Over the next 13 days, the city will speak up against gender violence as part of the worldwide ‘16 days of activism against gender violence’ campaign which began on November 25, 2013. Swarna Rajagopalan, founder, Prajnya, which has been organising programmes as part of the campaign for the past five years, said there has been growing awareness, and also willingness, to have a conversation about gender violence and use the right words, like doing away with the term ‘eve-teasing’.
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