Sex workers lead HIV prevention in India

Location: Maharashtra State, India

From its inception, the Aastha project has enlisted the participation of its beneficiaries to accomplish its goal of reducing the incidence of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections among sex workers in the Indian state of Maharashtra. During the six-year life of the project, more than 2,600 sex workers have been trained and mentored to become leaders of self-help groups. The groups have played a vital role in improving healthy behaviors among their peers and increasing use of community services. Aastha has reached more than 80,000 sex workers in Mumbai with comprehensive HIV prevention and care services. In 2011 alone, the project reached more than 27,500 individuals, who received more than 83,500 consultations for screening of sexually transmitted infections. And, it provided voluntary counseling and testing for nearly 17,000 individuals while also facilitating school admission for 121 of their children.