Programmes

HIV/ AIDs

Prevention and Care

ASHA PROJECT

Latest estimates show 8.3 million people were living with HIV in Asia at the end of 2005. 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.

This programme worked on an outreach basis, targeting women vulnerable to HIV and AIDS. In November 2006, our 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 (FSW's) 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 highlight their risk to HIV and AIDS. Currently, within the Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur Districts, we cover 118 sites and offer these women access to our medical, educative and counselling services. We also work with the clients of sex workers, Injecting Drug Users, and children vulnerable to sexual exploitation in our HIV and AIDS awareness programme.

We now have two DIC's, the original centre in Bhaktapur and now one based in Kathmandu. The Bhaktapur centre has an STI and HIV and AIDS testing clinic and Voluntary Counselling and Testing. Both DIC's offer HIV and AIDS awareness and education information and workshops, condom distribution and demonstrations and income generation programmes. We also run Monthly Interaction Meetings where women at risk, can learn about safe sex and planned parenting. Click here for full report and to see photos.