AEGiS-14IAC: Evolution of a community-based organization serving Ali/Aravani (male-to-female transgender/transsexual community) in South India: Sharing our experiences.

14th International AIDS Conference

Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

Evolution of a community-based organization serving Ali/Aravani (male-to-female transgender/transsexual community) in South India: Sharing our experiences.

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. F11805)

Babu P, Vadivelu AK, Ponnusamy AB
ThamilNadu Aravanigal Association (THAA), Chennai, India

ISSUE: Ali/Aravani (male-to-female transgender/transsexual) community is one of the most vulnerable & marginalized groups in India. Adequate attention has not been given to Ali community in the HIV prevention and care programs of government of India.

DESCRIPTION: In Tamil Nadu, over the past 10 years some HIV prevention projects for Ali (Aravani) community were run by some non-governmental organisations. Though in some of these projects Alis themselves have worked as outreach workers and peer educators, these programs did not make any impact. Reasons were - lack of trust with the NGO personnel and lack of the feeling of ownership of the program. Hence it was decided that the Ali community itself should come forward & run its own programs which led to the formation of Thamil Nadu Aravani Association (THAA). It has been started with the aim of advancing and protecting the rights of Aravanis. It also tries to provide alternative job opportunities by providing skills-training and guidance for self-employment. THAA has a temporary shelter home for HIV-positive Alis who come from different parts of India to Chennai. THAA has plans to make this shelter home into a comprehensive care center. THAA has motivation & energy to work for its community but lack technical & fund-raising skills. THAA is at present running with generous grants from a few committed Alis.

ISSUES: Involvement of the community members in planning, implementation and evaluation of the programs is a must so as to get the community's perspective and to know whether the programs are acceptable to them. Community members might be in a better position to plan & develop suitable programs.

RECOMMENDATIONS: HIV prevention and care programs for Ali community should be initiated by the government of India & non-governmental organizations. Community-based organizations should be given technical & financial support to plan and implement its own programs.

Keywords: AEGIS, Organizations, Sex Behavior, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Infections, Community Health Services, Social Behavior, Cooperative Behavior, India, Evolution, Financing, Organized, Health Resources, Female, Male, organization & administration, genetics, economics

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