Description: Velichathai Nokki (Looking towards light) is a short documentary film capturing the myths and misconceptions prevailing in the rural areas of southern Tamil Nadu regarding sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and HIV/AIDS. The film has also tried to explore the possibility of overcoming these issues by a group of women in a traditional value system.
PWDS, through its various implementing NGOs (AIRD, CAST, PACHE, SSH, NMCT and IMAYAM), implemented the DFID funded and Alliance India supported programme – “Community driven approaches to address the feminisation of HIV/AIDS in India” – in Tamil Nadu. The programme was implemented in Tirunelveli, Madurai, Dindigul and Coimbatore districts. This film depicts the true journey of the women reached in this programme.
One of the major emphasis was given on facilitating the formation and activities of support groups among the low-income women groups and women living with HIV (WLHA) to curb the feminisation of HIV/AIDS. These women groups were empowered through capacity building trainings on gender, leadership and income generation. One-to-one, one-to- group and cultural-action strategy were appropriately used to reach the vulnerable women groups and establish the effective referral and linkage mechanism among the needy. Support groups also help in establishing connection between government health service providers with community members through support group members and peer educators. This leads to reduction in discriminatory practices against people living with HIV (PLHIV). This documentary film also highlights the reactive advocacy efforts by support groups and the growth of support group beyond SRH & HIV/AIDS integration programme.
This successful SRH & HIV/AIDS convergence experience can be replicated in other areas also.
For information about how to get a copy of this documentary film, please contact: India HIV/AIDS Alliance
info@allianceindia.org or PWDS
datacare@eth.net