Women146;s groups write to govt on AIDS control

As New Delhi is seeking global funds to launch a massive HIV-AIDS control drive women8217;s groups from across the country have put a question mark on the strategy to deal with it. Trashing the previous approach of National AIDS Control Organisation NACO, these groups have written to the government that 8220;Fourteen years of AIDS control has yielded poor results and it unmindfully seem to be strengthening the entire illegal structure on which the sex-trade flourishes.8221;

Led by Ranjana Kumari, chairperson, Centre for Social Research, women from seven major organisations today met Home Minister Shivraj Patil and submitted a memorandum. They asked the government to reassess the AIDS situation in the country before launching the next phase of HIV-AIDS control programme.

She told The Indian Express that 8220;although the objectives of NACO are good, the methodology of condom distribution through madams brothel owners and pimps is unintentionally strengthening the very roots of organised crime that we want to uproot.8221;

NACO is currently negotiating with the World Bank and UNICEF to undertake an ambitious AIDS control programme with a target of 2.3 million high-risk persons. As the country was likely to get huge funds for the next phase, it was advisable to rethink about a proper strategy to deal with this disease, the group added.

Pointing to the findings of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Public Accounts Committee over poor utilisation of funds, they asked the government to 8220;make a fresh approach8221;.