AEGiS-15IAC: Addressing impediments to sexual health promotion among MSM in South Asia.

15th International AIDS Conference

Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

Addressing impediments to sexual health promotion among MSM in South Asia.

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. C10423)

Khan SD, Bondyopadhyay A
Naz Foundation International, London, United Kingdom

ISSUES: In South Asian countries, the most visible and highly discriminated MSM are those with feminised behaviours and identities, and who usually sexually penetrated by normative males. Highly stigmatised because such males cross the boundaries of local constructions of masculinities, these males experience regular and constant harassment, violence, and rape, not only from local normative males, but also from law enforcement officials. Such daily occurrences reinforce low levels of self-esteem, empowerment and self-hatred often leading to significant levels of self-damage and loss of hope. All this impedes any effective and sustainable intervention and promotion of sexual health amongst such MSM.

DESCRIPTION: Based on studies amongst MSM conducted by NFI, this paper will explore the range of social, judicial and legal impediments to HIV/AIDS prevention among MSM in South Asia, including state policy, local harassment and violence, as well as attitudes and practices of local law enforcement agencies based on a gendered perception of male-to-male sexual practices and identities. It will outline strategies to address these impediments towards develop a model of good practice for international, national, local and MSM institutions and agencies for an enhanced and broader rights based approach to MSM and sexual health.

LESSONS LEARNT: Unless social constructions of masculinities and sexualities that are gender based are addressed along with addressing policy conflicts between health ministries and home ministries, effective sustainable HIV/AIDS risk reduction strategies for MSM can be maintained.

RECOMMENDATIONS: This paper recommends that a rights-based approach to HIV/AIDS must also include issues of masculinities and sexualities for effective intervention programmes.

Keywords: AEGIS, Health Promotion, Sexual Behavior, HIV Infections, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Rape, Human Rights, Health Planning Guidelines, Anti-HIV Agents, HIV Seropositivity, HIV Seroprevalence, Public Health Practice, Gender Identity, Health, Behavior, Asia, Asia, Western, Humans, Male

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C10423