HIV AIDS

India is second only to South Africa in the number of people infected
with the HIV virus. Official figures in India state that 1% of the
population is infected, and the states of Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu,
Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka are billed as "high" infection areas.

HIV/AIDS is a sensitive topic. In India, 75% of patients have been
infected through unprotected sex, and sex and sexuality is surrounded
by a cloak of silence and cultural taboos. There is stigma and discrimination.
Indian society runs the gamut from ignorance to denial to ostracizing the
AIDS infected. The law too has to become more progressive: a recent
Supreme Court judgement prevents the AIDS infected from marrying.
Misconceptions about how HIV/AIDS spreads are rampant.

Nalamdana uses Tamil-film style drama to inform and provoke
discussion on HIV AIDS, breaking the silence that surrounds HIV
infection. Issues of sex and gender, infidelity, treatment and care
of the HIV infected are all handled delicately, without offending the
cultural sensitivities of the audience. Since there is evidence that
the media is the primary source of information about HIV AIDS in
India, Nalamdana has created a tele film and a music video. Both
were telecast by popular Tamil TV channels bringing them a reach
across the state and to Tamil speaking audiences elsewhere.
Nalamdana has now embarked on creating audience participatory
IEC (Information, Education, Communication) materials that are
shared with over 20 NGOs in the field.

The Ford Foundation granted Nalamdana an endowment fund in
2001 to sustain the outstanding work done in the field of HIV/AIDS.
Nalamdana is also a member of a network of 15 Indian organizations
called ACTION PLUS, funded by the Ford Foundation, that works in
the field of HIV AIDS. We partner with other advocacy and service
providers to continue reaching vulnerable populations in cities and villages.

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