Sexuality & HIV/AIDS
Overview
Sexual health is not just a nice part of life; it is a human right. That’s because true sexual well-being is not only the absence of disease or the presence of a partner. It does not exist without full sexual freedom, which includes freedom from sexual coercion, discrimination and violence. For true sexual health to exist, everyone’s sexual health and rights must be respected and protected.
That’s not what’s happening in many places, including India. HIV infection of males continues at alarming rates and many of the HIV-positive people in India are women, with most having contracted the virus from husbands or partners. Most of these women — faced with unimaginable stigma — are thrown out of their homes after their husbands die of AIDS.
Is this justice?
MediaView All
Rights Advocates perform puppet shows on HIV and AIDS in Lucknow, India
video | Posted: 03/10/2010Breakthrough’s Rights Advocates formed an all girls’ theater troupe in Lucknow, India and used jaw-dropping puppets to train women in the community on HIV/AIDS and women’s rights issues.
Rights Advocates interview Anita: An HIV+ woman living in India
video | Posted: 04/20/2009Rights Advocates interview Anita, an HIV+ woman in India. She never thought she would get HIV– especially from her husband. She lives in a society plagued with discrimination, but she is a fighter, despite the cards she’s been dealt.
Check out our “Oops, I did it again!” animation on safe sex
video | Posted: 02/23/2009In a quiet bookstore in Mumbai, two women talk about the AIDS epidemic and safe sex. It’s hard for one to keep quiet, to her friend’s shock and dismay.
“I wish…”, asking men to wear condoms to protect their wives
video | Posted: 01/06/2009A woman asks if her husband cares about trivial things. But if he doesn’t, will he care about important things like using a condom?
“My brother comes home late, but I’m punished”
video | Posted: 01/06/2009Is there justice in throwing an HIV+ woman out on the street? Breakthrough asks this very question about stigma towards positive women.
“He can’t drive, but I’m the one being punished”
video | Posted: 12/08/2008Is there justice in throwing an HIV+ woman out on the street? Breakthrough asks this very question about stigma towards positive women.
“Maati” tackles marriage and HIV in India
video | Posted: 12/08/2008Breakthrough’s video around the “What Kind of Man are You?” campaign shows Mandira Bedi and Samir Soni as a young married couple who discover that HIV/AIDS is not that far from home.
Learn
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Is This Justice? – Summary Evaluation
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- View the key findings on the impacts of Is This Justice? Breakthrough's multi-media campaign... More...
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Stigma and Discrimination of women living with HIV/AIDS – Formative Research
- Breakthrough's study examines the stigma HIV+ women face in India. This study aims to understand... More...
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Stigma and Discrimination of women living with HIV/AIDS – Executive Summary
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- See the results of Breakthrough's study which shows the insurmountable discrimination HIV+... More...
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Rights and Desire: A Facilitator’s Manual to Healthy Sexuality
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- A resource to generate positive dialogue around relationships, sex and sexuality. More...
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Rights Advocate: A Resource Guide on HIV/AIDS Awareness
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- A colorful guide for youth trainers to implement HIV/STD education programs in schools and... More...