Consultant to the Peoples Collective on HIV and AIDS
Commenced December 2006 (Ongoing)

The Collective brings together a cross-section of people drawn from among NGOs, lawyers, PLHAs, researchers, community representatives, and religious community leaders. A total number of 35 NGOs and individuals are members. This Collective is in operation since December, 2007. Its main objectives include:

1. To bring together NGOs and people concerned about and involved in addressing issues pertaining to HIV-AIDS and to explore the links between HIV-AIDS and the Law.
2. To examine how the law can be utilized as an instrument to protect and enhance the rights of PLHAs,
3. To develop networks of NGOs and persons within Goa and between them and other states in India so as to advance the efforts to gain recognition for the basic right of PLHAs,
4. To utilize the collective as a rallying point for developing lobbying and advocacy strategies at governmental level in favour of PLHAs.
5. To plan for collective action on issues related to HIV-AIDS and the Law including community mobilization, awareness among students (especially students of Law)
6. To organize workshops for students with a view to generating commitment among this crucial sector.
7. To organize ‘Press sensitization’/Police sensitization/Medical Professional sensitization initiatives with a view to do away with discrimination and prejudice faced by HIV Positive persons.

The Collective has, so far, succeeded in carrying initiatives in all the above categories of objectives and has also been meeting as a body every three months to plan for new activities.