Sanghamitra CBO for Sex Workers

Sanghamitra - A Women’s Collective – India

Sanghamitra, a women’s collective in Girgaum, Mumbai, is giving voice to the needs of sex workers. Sanghamitra’s organizational objectives are defined by its members in a remarkably participatory and accessible manner. The organization encourages sex workers to confront issues of concern head-on and to cease self victimization so that they can confidently articulate their needs without fearing reprisal from brothel-owners or the police. Working to alleviate exploitation, overcome illiteracy, discrimination and the power structure of the sex trade, Sanghamitra strives to build the skills of its constituency. The women’s collective encourages universal condom usage by sex workers, works with the police to ensure protection of legal rights, and with clinics to improve access to health services, in particular for HIV positive sex workers. Sanghamitra has been recognized to enhance and improve the quality of life of its community.

CONTACT
Telephone : +91 22 23 89 08 83/ 23 89 43 75
Street Address : 18, Kumjai Cooperative Housing Society
Girgaum, Mumbai, 400 004
INDIA

Maya Lama, President, Sanghamitra:
c/o Diane Cross, diane@psi.org.in, or
Shilpa Merchant, State Director, PSI, shilpa@psi.org.in;
Telephone: +91 22 23 89 08 83/23 89 43 75
http://www.redribbonaward.org/content.php?lg=en&pg=winner_2008_15

http://blogs.yogajournal.com/youthaids/

you tube videos
http://in.youtube.com/results?search_type=&search_query=Kamathipura+Red+light+district+&aq=f

Kamathipura (Red light district) -
The area was set up by the British for their troops, which acted as their official "comfort zone".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamathipura

http://www.psi.org/where_we_work/india.html
Mumbai HIV/AIDS Targeted Intervention: PSI/India's HIV/AIDS prevention activities target the high-risk behavior groups of sex workers, their clients, long-haul truck drivers. The Mumbai project works intensively with 6,000 sex workers in “red-light” areas of Mumbai, 600,000 men at risk and 2,500 drug users. The project includes interpersonal and mid-media communication; condom social marketing; voluntary counseling and testing centers; Drop-in Centers and a Helpline. Sanghamitra, a CBO of sex workers, and Sangini, its microfinance unit are operational. PSI/Mumbai’s Saadhan Helpline provides counseling and information services to the general population.
Psychological factors in Nepali former commercial sex workers with HIV. (Clinical Scholarship).: An article from: Journal of Nursing Scholarship