VOL. 25, NO. 40, June 16 2006 (Ashadh 02, 2063 B.S.)

An NGO engages in efforts to make condom easily available to persons likely to indulge in risky behavior that could spread HIV/AIDS

By A CORRESPONDENT

Ramesh Chitracar is glad about the latest initiative by an NGO called Nepal Youth Society (NYS). A taxi-driver by profession, Chitracar is pleased with the initiative to provide condoms in petrol pumps. “In the past, sometimes I had to engage in sexual intercourse without condom. And if I carried condom with me, that would have raised suspicion (in my wife). Therefore, it is good that NGOs have provided condom boxes in petrol pumps where it is made available free of charge and in a convenient manner,” he said.

Condom box in a petrol pump : For reducing risk

According to Shyam Shrestha of a petrol pump in New Baneshwore, around 200 pieces of condoms are consumed everyday from a box at his pump. He said that mostly the female sex workers, taxi drivers and rickshaw pullers have taken advantage of this service.

There are around 14,000 taxi drivers and 1200 rickshaw pullers in the capital valley. And they are said to be engaged in risky behavior as far as HIV/AIDS is concerned. Many of them stay away from their families for extended period. According to NYS, many of them visit dance restaurants and look for commercial sex workers to fulfill their desire. According to Krishna Gopal, secretary of Taxi Drivers Association, many drivers engage in sexually risky behaviors and some of them even tested HIV positive when their bloods were examined.

With the objective of addressing the concerns of this vulnerable section, NYS has launched a campaign to distribute condoms free of charge and also educational materials like brochures and message letters.

The NYS has provided these materials as well as condoms in petrol pumps in Kalanki, Khasi bazaar Putaliadak and New Baneshwore. “We aim to raise awareness about this disease to the vulnerable persons. Initial response to our effort has been quite satisfactory,” said Ganesh Man Pradhan, project officer of NYS.

The NYS has launched this initiative with the cooperation of World Vision Nepal. The NYS has been implementing Behavior Change Communication program for HIV/AIDS/STI control program among migrant people since March 2004 with the financial support of World Vision International. The first program was targeted to the carpet workers in Madhyapur Thimi area of Bhaktapur district. Currently, the program is covering transport workers of Kathmandu valley as well as carpet workers of Bhaktapur. The core objectives of the program are to reduce risk behaviors of the target group and mitigate the consequences of the HIV/AIDS through behavior change communication.

"UN Role Only In Arms Management"

India has agreed only on UN being given a role in arms management and this has delayed the process of the government writing to UN requesting its role in the peace process, according to a news report in The Himalayan Times daily (June 14). “India politely disagreed on inviting UN for monitoring the ceasefire and witnessing the peace talks. It has, however, accepted UN role for arms management,” said a top government source who had accompanied Prime Minister on his recent visit to New Delhi.

The UN, however, is eager to “monitor the ceasefire; witness the dialogue process as well as assist Nepal during decommissioning of Maoists’ arms and demobilization,” the source said. PM Koirala after returning from New Delhi on June 9 had said: “India suggested Nepal to invite UN only for management of arms and rehabilitation.” India is reportedly opposed to the UN mediation between the government and Maoists because that “would give legitimacy to the rebels.” New Delhi, rather, is learnt to have been seeking that the US and European Union join India for backing the Koirala government to limit the Maoists’ demand.

Meanwhile, the Resident Coordinator of UNDP in Kathmandu, Matthew Kahane, confirmed on Tuesday (June 13) that the government is yet to write an official letter to UN for its assistance. “Prime Minister and the Home Minister have talked to UN about its possible role, but the government has not yet officially sent any request to us,” said Kahane.

He said that UN can help Nepal’s peace process in all the areas once the government sends an official request to the UN and if the Maoists accept it. Kahane also suggested that the government and Maoists sign a “ceasefire agreement” as the already signed Code of Conduct of Ceasefire, according to him, lacks clear procedure on arms management.