NANDAGOPAL CHARITABLE TRUST

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Nandagopal Charitable Trust has been working on a project by National Aids Control
Organization to prevent and control the spread of HIV in south Gujarat, where the trust
operates. The project has been failing to meet its objectives.
The stigma related to HIV-infected people, sex workers, protective devices, inability to
identify the carriers and hotspots are the significant hurdles to reach the goals. The anonymity
of the sex workers and infected people also hinders the project.
Attitudinal and behavioral changes can solve this.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM:
Mr. Shah and Mr. Malik’s objective here is to influence people’s attitudes about
condom use, dispel misunderstandings regarding condom use, and stop the spread of
AIDS/HIV in the area of South Gujarat.
CAUSES OF THE PROBLEM:
The following are the primary obstacles to condom use and the advantages of condom use:
 There is a stigma associated with the use of condoms.
 Individuals’ preference for pleasure over safety.
 Because tiny groups or individuals primarily handle the sex business, there is a lack of
understanding and disinformation.
 In high-risk groups, due to their constant movement, there is a lack of reach
DECISION CRITERIA AND ALTERNATE SOLUTIONS:
Criterion:
 reduction of the spread of HIV and other STDs
 encourage the practice of safe sex
 identify and ensure safety to vulnerable groups (sex workers, truck drivers, etc.)
 eliminate misconceptions and stigmas associated with STDs
Alternative Solutions:
1. Self Help Groups: Efforts should be carried out to organize a highly vulnerable group
of commercial sex workers. As the NCT has successful experience in the formation of
SHGs, several SHGs of CSW can be formed, which can act as a powerful tool in peer
learning of safe sex methods and empowerment against harassment by police. It can
also help Home-based sex workers by interacting with SHGs peers in a trustful and
confidential environment.
2. Awareness
Condom usage: The stigma of condom usage can be reduced by strengthening
awareness programs.
 The majority of high-risk behavior groups are from Tribal areas of different states
of India, and 80% of them are of the 15-44 age group. They are often mobile and
floating in nature (Truckers, migrant workers, etc.), so the IEC (information,
education, and communications) activities must be tweaked to be more
understandable and by making it interactive.
Awareness of Monogamy: Along with using condoms for HIV protection, the
importance of monogamy and absenteeism from sex with unknown partners should be
emphasized, which helps prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

RECOMMENDED SOLUTION, IMPLEMENTATION, AND JUSTIFICATION:

Solution:
Here a single alternative may not give satisfactory results. Therefore, we must go with a
multi-pronged strategy by simultaneously carrying forward the above-mentioned alternative
solutions.
Implementation:
1. Self Help Groups:
 Immersing the staff of the trust into identifying the CSWs
 Convincing them into organizing themselves
 The active intervention of various NGOs and governmental agencies to aid
and facilitate the formation of such groups.
 Liaison with police department against the harassments.
2. Awareness of Condom usage and monogamy
 Ensure sex education reaches everyone effectively.
 Drivers must attend a mandatory free workshop on safe sex practices to get a
new license or renew the old. The governmental agencies shall ensure this.
 Involve community leaders in peer learning programs.
EXTERNAL SOURCING:
1. Vulnerability mapping and other initiatives: https://www.kudumbashree.org/pages/40
2. NHRC issues reminder to Bengal’s Ministry to finish survey on Sonagachi sex
workers’ plight: https://www.republicworld.com/india-news/general-news/nhrc-
issues-reminder-to-bengals-secy-to-finish-survey-on-sonagachi-sex-workers-
plight.html
3. Community policing initiatives in Kerala:
https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/Community-policing-initiatives-in-
Kerala/article15679489.ece
4. Social media interventions to prevent HIV:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4620570/
5. Police helping sex workers in Delhi:
https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/delhi/2020/oct/18/sex-workers-in-delhis-
gb-road-to-press-refresh-with-a-little-help-from-police-2211629.html