Report on mapping of MSM groups, organisations and networks in South Asia REPORT Report on Mapping of MSM Groups, OrganisationsNo. 3, November, and 2008 Networks©2008 in APCOM. South All rights reserved Asia APCOM Report No. 3, November 2008 Mapping of MSM groups, organisations and networks in South Asia APCOM The Asia Pacific Coalition on Male Sexual Health (APCOM) is a regional coalition of MSM and HIV commu- nity-based organisations and networks, the government sector, donors, technical experts and the UN system. The main purpose is advocating for political support and increases in investment and coverage of HIV services for males who have sex with males and transgenders in Asia and the Pacific. APCOM promotes the principles of good practice and lessons learnt by bringing together representatives from diverse groups in an effort to share experience, knowledge and expertise. The APCOM website includes additional resource materials includ- ing this report, policy briefs, commentaries, reports, news stories and APCOM membership registration. For more information, please visit www.msmasia.org, the APCOM website APCOM sub-regional configurations/areas Sub regions Countries China China Developed Asia Australia, Hong Kong SAR, Japan, Macau SAR, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan Greater Mekong Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam India India Pacific Region Cook Islands, Easter Islands, Fedrerated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, New Caledonia, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Pitcairn, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tongo, Tuvalu, Vanuata South Asia (excluding India) Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka* South East Asia (excluding Brunei, East Timor, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines Greaters Mekong sub region) * Mongolia is included in this sub region at their requet. 2 Mapping of MSM groups, organisations and networks in South Asia APCOM Report No. 3, November 2008 Mapping of MSM groups, organisations and networks in South Asia Acknowledgments This study, undertaken by India Naz Foundation International, and commissioned by APCOM, was conducted with financial support from UNAIDS, as part of their ongoing support to APCOM. APCOM is grateful to both UNAIDS and INFI for their support and contribution. South Asia 3 APCOM Report No. 3, November 2008 Mapping of MSM groups, organisations and networks in South Asia Acronyms AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrom APCOM Asia Pacific Coalition on Male Sexual Health CBO Community Baed Organisation HIV Human Immunodeficiency Virus INFI India Naz Foundation International INFOSEM Indian Network For Sexual Minorities INGO International Non-Government organisation LGBT Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender MSM Males who have sex with males NACO National AIDS Control Organisation NFI Naz Foundation International NGO Non-Government Organisation SACS State AIDS Control Society STI Sexually transmitted infections UNAIDS United Nations Joint Programme on AIDS USAID United States Aid and International Development UT Union Territory 4 Mapping of MSM groups, organisations and networks in South Asia APCOM Report No. 3, November 2008 Mapping of MSM groups, organisations and networks in South Asia Contents About APCOM 2 APCOM sub-regional configurations 2 Acknowledgements 3 South Asia map 3 Acronyms 4 Defining the term MSM 6 Caveat 6 Mapping MSM groups, organisations and networks in South Asia 7 Introduction 7 Study Process 7 Study Findings 8 1. Geographical location 8 2. Organisational structure of groups, organisations and networks mapped 9 3. Nature of HIV/AIDS services 9 4. Population served 10 5. Training and funding needs 10 Conclusions 11 Key recommendations 11 Questionnaire 13 Data set 17 Tables Table 1 : State wise break up of data for India 8 Table 2 : Country wise break up of data 9 Tbale 3: Most common training needs in India 10 5 APCOM Report No. 3, November 2008 Mapping of MSM groups, organisations and networks in South Asia Defining the term MSM in a South Asian context “Men who have sex with men” (MSM) is an inclusive public health term used to define the sexual behaviours of males having sex with other males, regardless of gender identity, motivation for engaging in sex or identifi- cation with any or no particular ‘community’. The words ‘man’ and ‘sex’ are interpreted differently in diverse cultures and societies as well as by the individuals involved. As a result, the terms MSM covers a large variety of settings and contexts in which male to male sex takes place. Caveat Ths report does not claim to be the final authority on the extent of MSM groups, networks and organisations in the South Asia region. Many small groups will most likely have been mised because they are not registered, or they have not been mentioned by other groups and organisations that have been identified. However, the information provided here does give an indication of the development of these groups, networks and organisa- tions. In 1990, only India has any sort of organising around male-male sexualities, and then it is estimated that there were less than 10 such organisations. It needs to also be recognised that such organisations, groups and networks are organic, often rising and falling, and renewing themselves under different names, and that such listings are not static but evolutionary. 6 Mapping of MSM groups, organisations and networks in South Asia APCOM Report No. 3, November 2008 Mapping of MSM groups, organisations and networks in South Asia Mapping MSM groups, organisations and networks in South Asia Introduction According to a policy brief titled “The Value of Investing in MSM Programs in the Asia and the Pacific re- gion”, developed by the USAID Health Policy Initiative and APCOM (March 2008), there is strong evidence establishing male-to-male sex as one of the driving forces of HIV transmission in the region. HIV prevalence among MSM and transgender populations ranges from 3 to 17% in Asia-Pacific countries1 (5 to 15 times higher than overall HIV prevalence). In India, for instance, the latest estimates by National AIDS Control Organisa- tion (NACO) show that prevalence among MSM and transgender populations was 5.7% in 2006 as against the overall adult of 0.36%2. Technical and funding support based on such evidence for large scale strategic interventions that address male- to-male and transgender sexualities and related HIV vulnerabilities is only now beginning to materlize in the region. One of the first steps needed in scaling up this response is to map the populations concerned and their representative groups, organisations and networks. This study carried out by India Naz Foundation Interna- tional aimed at such a mapping of MSM groups, organisations and networks in the South Asian countries of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka Mongolia has been included in the sub region at their request.3 The study focused on male who have sex with male populations, given that not enough known about their spe- cific vulnerabilities to HIV and the response that is already under the way to address the vulnerabilities. More specifically, the study looked at; a. Creation of a database of groups, organisations and networks addressing HIV prevention, care, support and treatment issues of MSM population in South Asia. b. Assess the geographical spread and coverage of these groups, organisations and networks. c. Assess their current HIV response; and d. Assess their readiness for scaling up the response The study covered both community-based organisations (CBOs) and other voluntary (and private sector) agen- cies to gain a comprehensive overview.4 Study process The study was conducted by the knowledge unit of India Naz Foundation International, based in Lucknow, India. As a first step, an excel database format was developed to lay out all information issues that needed investiga- tion. Information for India was divided by the states and rest by country. Please see the Annexures for the data breakdown. This was followed by a desk review (both internet based and otherwise) of research reports, programme re- ports, annual reports, policy documents, organisational brochures and other profile documents, and existing databases of government and non-government agencies involved in work on gender, sexuality, human rights, HIV and AIDS and other associated issues to identify MSM groups. networks and organisations. A significant 1 The epidemiology of HIV and STI among men who have sex with men and transgender in Asia, Frits van Griensven, August 2007, presentation to the 8th Interna- tional Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific. 2 Revised National prevalence data published by the National AIDS Control organisation, India and UNAIDS, 2006, www.naco.nic.in 3 A simmler mapping report for transgender groups, organisations and networks in South Asia was conducted by SAATHI, Kolkata, for APCOM in July 2008. Available on www.msmasia.org. 4 Government and bilateral / multilateral agencies were not considered for the mapping as their primary role is that of providing funding and technical support and not direct or indirect implementation. 7 APCOM Report No. 3, November 2008 Mapping of MSM groups, organisations and networks in South Asia proportion of the desk review utilised resources available in NFI’s Resource Centre in its regional programme office also based in Lucknow. All the collected information through the desk review was verified for accuracy and updating through e-mails and telephone calls. In many instances, the desk review revealed only contact information or incomplete data. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the missing information. The questionnaire was distributed through e-mail and post, and where needed, completed through telephone interviews. The questionnaire was also posted on e-forums used by MSM and HIV and AIDS organisations, their support forums and other agencies working with them in South Asia. This allowed the capture of information as yet unavailable in print or on websites. Respondents to the questionnaire were asked to provide contact informa- tion of other groups, organisations and networks they knew about.