Problem Analysis: Over the last 3 decades the South Asian region witnesses a decline in poverty levels, reduction in infant and child mortality and increase in- life expectancy. As a result of these improvements foreign direct investment is beginning to strengthen economies. The threat of HIV/AIDS may potentially undo all this progress. In fact experts feel that South Asia could replace Africa as far as the incidence of HIV/AIDS is concerned if appropriate preventive approaches are not put into place in time. The status of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in South Asia is as under:

• Out of 8 m living with HIV in Asia/Pacific close to 6 m are in South Asis
• A number of countries in South Asia are harbouring serious localized epidemics-55% HIV/AIDS prevalence in red light areas of Mumbai and Chennai

HIV/AIDS is inextricably linked to power relations between and among men and women.

• Misconceptions about masculinity encourage men to display their sexual prowess through having multiple sex partners
• The culture of silence around sexuality demand that ‘good women’ remain ignorant about their sexuality
• The use of barrier methods can be problematic as bearing children is the ultimate sigh of womanhood.

Strategic Direction: Given this scenario SARO will work for HIV/AIDS prevention by supporting processes that contribute towards equalizing the gender and power relations, for example by empowering women to negotiate safe sex with their partners.

Goal: Reduction in the incidence of HIV/AIDS in South Asia and the full protection of the rights of people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.

Objective 1: To increase access to interventions for the HIV/AIDS/STIs through integrated gender sensitive SRH programmes in 4 countries.

Activities:

• Support MAs in 4 countries to conduct baseline surveys with women visiting 10-12 SDPs of MAs to assess the extent if disempowerment faced by women in negotiating safe sex with partners.
• Organise workshops on gender and HIV/AIDS for staff/volunteers of MAs in the 4 countries to generate an enabling environment in the organization.
• Strengthen partnerships of MA with NGOs working on gender and on HIV in the participating countries through mapping exercises, seminars, and dialogues.
• Build the capacity of a critical mass of trainers from MAs and their partners in how to empower women to negotiate safe sex through study visits, TOT workshops, using existing materials.
• Improve access to male and female condoms and counseling services through the SDPs of the participating MAs.
• Mobilise resources to enable MAs and their partners to implement these activities.
• Develop qualitative and quantitative M&E tools to measure empowerment and collect data through community based research methodologies.
• Assist MAs to document/package learning.

Objective 2: To strengthen programme and policy linkages between SRH and HIV/AIDS in these countries.

Activities:

• Organise dialogues between MAs, policy makers/programme implementers (national AIDS programmes) and media personnel to explore ways of mainstreaming the lessons learnet in the SDPs of the participating MAs into national programmes on HIV/AIDS prevention.
• Provide technical assistance to MAs and their partners to evolve non-discriminatory workplace policies to protect the rights of those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.

Outcomes and Indicators: