Programmes

HIV/ AIDs

Education

ASHA PROJECT

Latest estimates from UNAIDS reports that in 2007, approximately 440,000 Asians were newly infected with HIV, bringing the total number living with HIV/AIDS in Asia and the Pacific to 4.9 million. In the same year, 330,000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses in this region. In Nepal alone, it is estimated that over 72,000 people are HIV positive. Of this group, over 46% are migrant workers and most are or have been clients of Female Sex Workers (FSW's). CAC-Nepal has been working in the area of HIV and AIDS awareness and prevention since 2002. With funding from Family Health International, (FHI) CAC-Nepal worked on a Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) programme from its Drop-In-Centre (DIC) in Bhaktapur from 2002 until 2006.

This programme worked on an outreach basis, targeting women vulnerable to HIV and AIDS. In November 2006, the partnership with FHI was extended and CAC-Nepal expanded and developed the original BCC programme to become the ASHA Project, an Integrated Health Services programme offering an Essential Package of Care for Female Sex Workers and their clients in the Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur districts. Through our Outreach Educators and Community Mobilisers, CAC-Nepal works with FSW's and women at risk of sexual exploitation and trafficking to educate them on STI's and HIV and AIDS. Currently, within the Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur Districts, CAC-Nepal covers 118 field or working area and offer these women access to medical, educative and counselling services. CAC-Nepal also works with the clients of field or working area, injecting drug users, and children vulnerable to sexual exploitation as part of this HIV and AIDS awareness programme.

Currently, we have two Drop-In-Centre's (DIC's), the original centre in Bhaktapur and now one based in Kathmandu. The Bhaktapur centre has an STI clinic and Voluntary Counselling and Testing services (VCT). Both DIC's offer HIV and AIDS awareness and education information and workshops, condom distribution and demonstrations and income generation programmes. CAC-Nepal also runs monthly Stigma and Discrimination Training where women at risk, can learn about safe sex, planned parenting and dealing with stigma and discrimination. Click here for the ASHA report