the CONDOM PROJECT
1919 16th St NW, Suite 1
Washington, DC 20009 USA
30 E. 20th Street, suit 504
New York, NY 10003 USA
A - 86 East of Kailash
New Delhi, 110 065 India |
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LIFE GUARD DELHI
LIFE GUARD Delhi is a non-traditional and comprehensive condom distribution program driven by the involvement of peer-to-peer social networks and community-based organization outreach services. LIFE GUARD Delhi incorporates condom distribution with access to services including harm reduction, mental health counseling, HIV testing, support groups and vocational training to reduce the transmission of HIV. To reach the potential illiterate audience within the community, the resource guild also contains culturally appropriate pictograms illustrating the information.
LIFE GUARD Delhi is based on a peer condom distribution model making condoms available free of charge 24 hours a day 7 days a week through a peer condom distribution network empowering the Koti community to protect itself against HIV transmission.
The importance of reaching the Koti community.
Section 377 of the Indian penal code criminalizes those who "voluntarily have carnal intercourse against the order of nature" and is used to prosecute men who have sex with men (MSM). The penalty for engaging in this kind of sexual activity is 10 years to life in prison. The MSM community is at great legal risk when they engage in sexual relations, and the Koti community is especially at risk because the sexual activity of the Koti is primarily anal intercourse with multiple partners. Section 377 compounds the barriers associated with this activity, where there is little or no time for condom negotiation. For this reason, the female condom, also called the "internal condom," is being used to help the Koti community protect themselves.
Internal condoms can be inserted up to 8 hours prior to sexual activity. Before a Koti is going to be in a situation where they could be engaging in sexual activity, an internal condom can be inserted. When the sexual activity begins, they only need to be sure the condom is in place. This is one way Koti can protect themselves against the transmission of HIV.
A pilot is underway in New Delhi, with a second and more comprehensive phase scheduled to begin in April 2007. This pilot provides internal condoms to a group of Koti in New Delhi and the acceptance usability and comfortably are being documented.
The Life Guard program is operating in...
Washington, DC, USA
New Delhi, India
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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