Report Launch – Chasing Numbers, Betraying People: Relooking at HIV Services in Karnataka

Aneka and Karnataka Sexual Minorities Forum

Invite you for the launch of their report “Chasing Numbers, Betraying People: Relooking at HIV Services in Karnataka”.  

By

Dr. R Balasubramaniam (Founder of Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM) and ex special investigator and vigilance director for the Karnataka Lok Ayukta) and

Dr. Kamala Hampana (Scholar, Author of over 50 books and served as Chairperson -All India Kannada Literary Meet 2003)

The report is also endorsed by People’s Health Movement‘s Bangalore Urban Chapter (JAABU – Janarogya Andolana – Bangalore urban).

On Saturday, 17th December 2011, At  United Theological College, Millers Road, Near Cantt Railway Station’s Back Gate, Bangalore. Between 4:00 – 6:30 PM

While issues related to spread and prevention of HIV has received considerable attention – the quality of services,  compromises of people’s right – to health, to participate and shape policies as well as issues around privacy, and ethics do not are sidestepped or ignored.

This report focuses on the experiences of male-born sexual minorities in Karnataka vis-à-vis HIV related services– and is an outcome of a collaborative process where community members have been co-producers of knowledge.

Sexual minority communities have long faced challenges in accessing public services; including healthcare. Given that HIV places a significant burden on male-born sexual minorities; there are a range of HIV-related services and interventions that especially addresses them. The report sketches the barriers encountered by them in receiving or seeking care in terms of access and availability of services. Attention is also drawn to the lapses and violations that occur in the name of providing heath services The report ends with a set of recommendations that have emerged from the sexual minority communities for policy makers, health-workers and activists

For more information contact  Rajesh (9886155148)  or Shubha (9243446105)

Stop human rights violations against people living with HIV

Stop human rights violations against people living with HIV

Karnataka HIV Sonkithara Sanghatane (Sanghatan of people living with HIV in Karnataka), Phone: 9980717496, Email: karhss@gmail.com

invites you for the PUBLIC DEMONSTRATION

on 30th November 2010 (Tuesday) at 1 PM

at Mahatma Gandhi Statue, MG Road, Bangalore

Our demands:
1. Stop the involvement of Village Health and Sanitation Committees and village panchayats in providing support to children infected/affected by HIV
2. Provide adequate food and nutrition to all adults and children living with HIV
3. Provide free, non-judgemental and quality medical treatment to all PLHIV
4. Involve PLHIV meaningfully at levels of decision making

Join us in demanding justice, bring your family members and friends along.

Constitution of India guarantees right to life to all its citizens. But the Government of Karnataka and KSAPS (Karnataka State AIDS Prevention Society), the main governmental institution to address the issues of HIV in the state, have completely failed in protecting the right to health, right to food, right to dignity and right to life for PLHIV (People Living with HIV).

Stop harming children living with/affected by HIV in the name of supporting them: Government of Karnataka has rolled out a program recently through WCD (Department for Women and Child Development) to help children living with/affected by HIV in Karnataka by supporting expenses for basic food/nutrition, shelter, medical and related travel expenses, educational materials, clothing etc. Beneficiaries will be identified by the Village Health and Sanitation Committee and the village panchayat. The support for beneficiaries will be provided through the Village Health and
Sanitation Committee.

Why should Village Health and Sanitation Committees and village panchayats be involved in the process? Why should they know who is HIV infected child/parents in each village? Can the information about the people living with HIV be kept confidential in this process? Who will take responsibility if the people living with HIV and their children face stigma, discrimination, social boycott and other human rights violations as a result of revealing their HIV status to public? Is the government trying to help children infected/affected by HIV or trying to kill them or violate their human rights? Why the government did not consult HIV positive people and groups before designing this program? This shows complete lack of sensitivity from the government in dealing with people living with HIV, one of the most marginalized section of our spciety. This program should be stopped with immediate effect and wide-spread consultations should be held with HIV positive people and groups to redesign the program.

Provision of food and nutrition is central to the survival of PLHIV: Most PLHIV die in Karnataka due to poverty and lack of adequate food and nutrition. Adequate food and nutrition help in slowing the progress of the disease i.e. slow the weakening of the immune system. Adequate food and nutrition can help PLHIV to delay the intake of ART (Anti-Retroviral Treatment). PLHIV on ART need more nutrition than others. Adults living with HIV need 10%-30% more nutrition than others and children living with HIV need 50%-100% more nutrition than others, based on their disease progression. Intake of adequate food and nutrition is very difficult for many PLHIV as they are forced to spend significant portions of their income for medications and other needs connected with HIV. Government of Karnataka and KSAPS have failed to keep their long-time promises on making adequate food and nutrition available to PLHIV. This is high time that the government take immediate measures to ensure that adequate food and nutrition is provided for PLHIV.

Provide non-judgemental and free medical treatment in public health system: PLHIV face enormous stigma, discrimination and neglect in the public health system. We regularly hear about the deaths of HIV positive women during child birth as government hospitals refuse to conduct the deliveries. Still medical kits required to help HIV positive women in the delivery process are not there in most hospitals. PLHIV are forced to spend a lot of money for medicines and diagnostics as they are not provided free of cost.

Meaningful involvement of PLHIV is a must: In a democracy, people affected are to be the central part of any decision making process. Government of Karnataka and KSAPS never involve PLHIV meaningfully in any decision making process that affects them. In fact Joint Director (TI) of KSAPS is known for publicly abusing and insulting PLHIV.

Sex Workers and Sexual Minorities face discrimination in HIV+ people’s network

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: HIV News <hivtalk@gmail.com>

PRESS NOTE

 

 

 

Arunodaya Network Of Positive People (ANP+) is a registered district-level network of HIV Positive People in Bangalore Urban District, Karnataka. Its members include HIV positive persons from the communities of ex workers and sexual minorities, who face discrimination even in HIV positive people’s networks due to their occupation/ sexual orientation/ gender identity. The Annual General Body meeting and the elections to elect the new board representatives are scheduled to be held on 28th October (Thursday). But on 21^st of Oct 2010, a few members complained that their nominations were rejected on unfair grounds i.e. for being a sex worker or a sexual minority person. The rejected members filed their nomination under the general category. The election rules of the society do not prohibit any member contestingin open category, which is also an universal principle of justice. The candidates who were rejected were from the reserved category (sex workers and sexual minorities) and filed their nomination for the general category post (Open category).

 

 

As per society’s rule, the elections should be conducted democratically and the bylaws of the society should be shared with each and every member of the society. The rejected members have complained that Arunodaya Network has failed to provide a copy of the bylaws to other board members and ordinary members.

 

 

Rejected member’s quotes:

Usha, member of Arunodaya Network for the last 3 years:

For the last 3 years, I am a member of Arunodaya network. When I became a member, one of the board members in the year 2006 gave me counselling. Based on the counselling, the network registered me as a member under the general category. I filed my nomination under the general category. But my nomination was rejected as they considered me under the reserved category which is completely wrong as per their documentation. The Arunodaya Network asked me to put my nomination for the reserved post. In this election, 1 post is reserved for a female sex worker and one from the community of sexual minorities. It is completely unfair to ask me to contest under the reserved category. Rejecting my nomination for the general category is a violation of my right as a member. This is completely undemocratic and against the rights of sex workers.

 

Vijaya Kumar, members of Arunodaya Network:-

Since last 6 months I am the member of the network. I am actively associated Arunodaya Network. I identify myself  as a Bisexual. The Arunodaya network registered me as a member under the reserved (Sexual Minority) category. Even though I am a reserved category member, I am interested to contest in the election for the general category post, which is my right as a member. I wanted to contest from general category to prove that there are sexual minorities who are capable of winning elections, without reservation. This was my sincere effort. I wanted to bring my other sexual minority friends to the mainstream. But rejecting my candidature, they have discriminated me and have violated my rights. If they cannot provide me a chance, as a District Level Network (DLN) what support can they provide to other sexual minorities? I want fair, democratic election process so that there is no discrimination.

Our demands:

1.       The Arunodaya Network should conduct fair and democratic elections according to its bylaws and the law of the land.

2.       There should be no discrimination for the reserved category members contesting in elections.

3.       Reserved category members should be provided equal opportunities.

For more information: Vijaya Kumar (95387 09146), Usha (80507 68692)

Praja Rajalikya Vedke’s Election Campaign Launch on 22nd march 2010 (Monday) at 3PM

Come, JOIN OUR CAMPAIGN

Lets build a NEW POLITICAL CULTURE

Lets end the POLITICS OF MONEY-MUSCLE POWER

For CLEAN, EFFICIENT AND TRANSPARENT POLITICS

Ward	Campaign Launch Location	Candidate
Hebbala – 21	Hebbala Police Station, Bellary Road	Derick Anil A.
Okalipuram – 96	Arunachala Circle, 5th Main Road, Okalipuram	Veena S.
22nd March 2010 (Monday) 3PM

NEED YOUR SUPPORT- Praja Rajakiya Vedike’s appeal to all who believe in democracy and good governance

Be The Change

Support New Politics

Support Praja Rajakiya Vedike Candidates

BBMP Elections – A Challenge

An opportunity to be part of Clean, Efficient and Transparent Governance

Dear Friends,

Praja Rajakiya Vedike (PRV) is a political platform of highly dedicated social activists with decades of work for social change. We are people with a long history in political and people’s movements. We have been working in diverse sectors – urban/rural poor; rights of children, women, dalits, workers, religious minorities, adivasis, sexual minorities; human rights; development; ecology and environment; good governance and democratization. We have realized that real change is possible only through political power i.e. when people are central to decision making processes at city, state and country levels. Hence PRV is launched to challenge and change the corrupt political culture in Karnataka. We have resolved to participate in BBMP elections and have fielded two candidates, Ms. Veena from Okalipuram (Ward No. 96) and Mr. Derick Anil from Hebbal (Ward No. 21).

The coming BBMP (http://bbmp.gov.in) elections are taking place only due to the directives of the Courts. Political parties in power have done everything possible to maintain their illegitimate control over the BBMP while delaying and tampering with the election process. We believe that all existing political parties and their leaders lack values and principles, and we are determined to speak out against the status quo. The mainstream political parties indulge in worst forms of electoral malpractices to get votes – use money, use muscle power, coercion, threats and the list goes on. For them election is business where you invest some money to win elections and once elected they pocket huge sums of people’s money through every conceivable corrupt practices. They make money, many times over their ‘investment’. They make money, and people get bad roads, no street lights, no water, crumbling school buildings, poorly-run hospitals and no development at all.

Present model of development is completely against people. Crores of rupees are spent for beautification of pavements and roads while ignoring basic issues of people – housing, roads, water, electricity, education, employment, health, childcare, old age support, sanitation etc. We are committed to make sure that the people’s money is spent under people’s control, so that real needs of people are addressed. PRV will struggle to end this corrupt money-muscle-power politics. We will raise money from public to fight elections. We will not make our candidates spend money from their pockets. We are opposed to corruption of all kinds. A participatory democracy is need of the hour. Participation of every citizen not just casting your vote but also ridding the elections of even a possibility of any corrupt practice. We request you to contribute towards this either by your time and or financial support. We don’t buy votes. We need to reach each and every voter the above message, through literature, audio or audio visual medium.

People may ask, “How can poor politicians help us?” But our personal resources are not relevant. There are more than enough funds available for the BBMP through taxes. This money belongs to the people, and should be spent to ensure that basic, high-quality services are available to every resident of our city. It is high time that all those entrusted with the administration are made accountable and put a stop to all such corrupt practices that render the finances dry, without any of it reaching the needs and development of the city and it infrastructure.

Our Promise to You

We will struggle through all peaceful and lawful means to help you get basic amenities even in case our candidates do not get elected. We will work to strengthen ward committees (with its members directly elected, not nominated), and will make sure that they have the final say on what money is being spent in the ward, and how, and why. We will fight for a new culture of transparency, demanding that politicians justify publicly how money is being spent, at monthly meetings open to all.

According to media, main political parties are planning to spend at least Rs. 1 to 1.5 Crore per ward to get their candidate elected – even though the limit is Rs. 5 lakhs! We commit, not only to spending within the limit set by law, but spending every paisa with transparency and accountability. Our money will be spent on reaching out to each and every voter, one by one, to tell them about our candidates. For this, we will spend only the following, for each candidate:

• Food, water and transportation for election workers (all volunteers)
• Banners, pamphlets, hire four-wheelers, auto-rickshaws
• Deposits for filing nominations, obtaining voters list, photocopying and other miscellaneous expenses

This means we commit to spending no more than legal limit. Each paisa will be spent through official channels, and all expenses will be publicly declared. The affidavit regarding any property owned by our candidates and their dependents will also be made fully public, in all its detail now, once every year after they are elected as corporators.

Our Candidates

Veena S. is a hijra, a transsexual woman, who has struggled for many years for the rights of women, Dalits, sexual minorities and workers. She is seeking to represent the people of Okalipuram Ward-96, where she has lived all of her life. “I am asking you not to sell your vote to those who are trying to buy you with money and liquor,” she says. “I promise you a clean politics, and whether I win or lose, I will work with integrity.” Having grown up in a slum herself, Veena understands the critical issues for those who live there with her, including the improvement of basic facilities, the development of women and children, and equality for all sections of people in society. Veena has enormous experience and knows how to address people’s problems.

Derick Anil, a long-time social activist working on environmental justice, beedi workers, landless laborers and many other issues, is contesting Hebbala Ward-21. “I believe in transparent governance, people’s right to information, electoral reforms,” he says. “I have realized the need for an alternative politics to make these things happen.” Whether or not he is elected, he is committed to working for the overall development of Bangalore City, with people’s participation, and making sure that every citizen has an equal share in the fruits of development. With respect to Hebbala Ward especially, he is determined to work for the fair distribution of water, waste management, and the basic needs of the poor.

Our candidates will represent people’s voices and concerns in the BBMP Council. Our candidates will not loot people’s money. Our candidates are committed to true democracy – governance of the people, by the people and for the people.

Your role

You have a critical role to play in the coming elections. You must elect those representatives who will work full-time – not just in their spare time – to respond to your concerns about local problems in your area. It is your responsibility to reject the parties who will try to buy your vote with money or liquor. You must believe that change is possible, and that honest, clean and committed representatives can make a difference. Please use your opportunity carefully.

We also ask for your support: Raise your voices in support of us. Campaign for us. Raise money. Even just one rupee. We will account for every paisa we receive.

Please send/deposit your donations for PRV in SB Account 0425101049093 at Canara Bank, Hebbal, Bellary Road, Bangalore – 560024 (A joint account operated by any 2 of our 3 active PRV members – Elavarthi Manohar, Derick Anil and Veena)

Please send/deposit your donations for Veena S. in SB Account 1174101020634 at Canara Bank, Magadi Road, Bangalore – 560023

Please send/deposit your donations for Derick Anil A. in SB Account 1202500100206401 at Karnataka Bank Ltd., RT Nagara, Bangalore-560032

Please send details of your donation (name, address, amount, deposit details) by email/post. Please send your cheques/DDs to us by post. Our contact details are mentioned below.

We look forward to your participation, support and solidarity

Elavarthi Manohar, Venkatesh B T, Yashodha P

Coordinators – Praja Rajakiya Vedike

Praja Rajakiya Vedike

43, 3^rd Cross, Link Road, Malleswaram, Bangalore – 560003

Mobile: 9480974109 (E Manohar), 9845587502 (P Yashodha), 9448055465 (B T Venkatesh)

Email: prajarajakiya@gmail.com Web: http://openrun.net/prv/

My (Suraksha WRHCP) election to the Global Fund’s India CCM

I should have written about it a longtime ago. Here is the letter I sent to many friends about my election to the IndiaCCM

——————————————————-

Dear friend(s)

I am overwhelmed by the tremendous support that I have received in getting elected as the representative of Sexual Minorities in the Global Fund’s India CCM for the next 2 years. This has come from those of you who voted for me (69 out of 88 i.e. 78.4% of the polled votes), and the many friends and supporters who helped me:

– file my candidature

– fight against the scuttling of India CCM election process that arbitrarily invalidated my candidature and

– encouraged and helped me through the voting process.

I see this as an endorsement of certain ideas whose time has come. The simple idea of change in India CCM processes. Change to allow for greater transparency, accountability and participation of affected people. Change that allows issues of diverse populations to be voiced and respected. The diversity that I hope to represent is not only the many identities among sexual minorities but also diversity in terms of size, access to funding and thrust of the organisation. I clearly see my mandate to also represent other discriminated communities – sexworkers, drug users, dalits, disabled and others that otherwise seems to have very little or no space in the CCM.

I am serious about pursuing this agenda of change with the support of all of you.

The CCM is an interesting and bold experiment – to open up the funding process, to fund innovative ideas and needs that are not addressed by other funding, to be a multiple stakeholder forum and to work on the principle of consensus. But in reality there seems to be very little role for the civil society agencies in the India CCM process .

There is an urgent need to increase the role and participation of civil society in setting policy and programmatic priorities for the proposals submitted to the fund. In India CCM, opinions of the civil society and affected communities should at least carry equal weight as that of the government, if not more. I need all your support, in advocating for the primary role for the civil society and affected people in India CCM, in spite of it being an uphill task.

It is these objectives that we should together work towards realising. We need to make a joint claim to this process.

I was waiting to hear from the India CCM secretariat about the next steps (I have  received that information very recently), hence the delay in sending this.
I look forward to receiving your suggestions and comments.

In solidarity

Elavarthi Manohar