MILAN-  meaning ‘comming together’. It is the coalition of the collective of Sexworkers + Network of People Living with HIV- Arunodaya Network of Positive People and the Non governmental Organisation involved in prevention of HIV- Society For People’s Action for Development (SPAD)

Project Purpose  

 Enabling Female Sex workers to exercise their social, political and economic rights effectively in order to address issues of discrimination, stigmatization, denial (DSD) and violence related to sex work and HIV/AIDS.

Project Goal:

Reduction of HIV/AIDS related DSD against sexworkers with a focus on sexworkers from Dalit and Muslim communities by initiating and strengthening their independent organizations.

MILAN is based in the Zone II of Bangalore City .  We work with more than 2500 women in sexwork who are directly vulnerable to HIV, and  further 1,00,000 people who are indirectly vulnerable to HIV/AIDS.

The Specific Objectives are:

• To mobilise sexworkers to form Front Line Groups (FLGs), to address issues of stigma, discrimination and violence.
• To strengthen Dhwani- The Crisis Management Group, to effectively address Human Rights Violations
• To facilitate larger formation of Sexworkers at district level by upward movement of FLGs.
• To develop stratergies to mainstream HIV/AIDS among secondary stakeholders.

It is done by a variety of community-based interventions, formation of FLGs at grass roots,  strengthen self-help groups, provide legal support to the crisis management team (Dhwani), training for sex workers of CBOs and community members, and organise community events.

“After SPAD started working, everything seems to have changed for the better”. – Female sex worker

“Before, I was afraid to come outside. But now I am able to come out to do this work. Now I am not afraid of this work.” – Member of self-help group

“Before, we as leaders had vacated sex workers’ houses. After SPAD’s intervention, we gained a good understanding about issues. Our behaviour towards them has changed. We are more empathetic to their issues… Now I am involved with SPAD, to solve the crisis.” – Community leader

“Before the training, I felt very afraid to touch those who are HIV positive. After attending your training, I came to know a lot.” – Doctor