US gag rule hits India's AIDS fight

March 14, 2006

Sharla Bazliel, CNN-IBN

Posted Monday , March 06, 2006 at 17:40, Updated Monday , March 06,

2006 at 18:5

New Delhi: For the group of sex workers belonging to the collective

DMSC, who travelled thousands of miles to the Capital to take part

in a series of seminars and a huge rally on March 8 (International

Woman's Day), it was just a coincident that their visit coincided

with that of the most powerful man in the world - US President

W bush.

Everyone has heard his famous vow on terrorism. " You're either with

us or with the terrorists, " But few know that apart from terrorism,

Bush and his administration have decided to take on prostitution as

well.

In 2003, the US passed the Global AIDS Act, but it came with a rider

that stops funds from going to any NGO that did not sign an anti-

prostitution pledge, which states specifically that they will not

work for the empowerment sex workers. A sore point in NGO circles,

this order has almost derailed the fight against HIV/AIDS. More so

in a country like India where sex workers are considered the single-

most high-risk group in the fight against AIDS.

Says Dr Smarjit Jana, member, NACO, " This rule will stigmatise these

sex workers further and compromise their rights and entitlements. "

Explains Padma, a sex worker from DMSC: " I'm facing a lot of

problems from the police and local gangs. I've come to Delhi seeking

justice. "

As per the order, any NGO that refuses to sign the pledge doesn't

receive USAID funds. Last month, SANGRAM, an NGO in Maharashtra,

refused to sign this loyalty oath. Interestingly, this coincided

with raids on some brothels in the area.

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