HIV rates are down but discrimination continues for Indian sex workers

HIV and AIDS rate among female sex workers came down from 2.75% in 2013 to 1.6% in 2017.

The proportion of Indian sex workers with HIV/AIDS declined over four years to 2017, more use condoms than ever before and funding to control the disease rose 21% over the period, according to an IndiaSpend analysis of national health data.

But there appears to be little change in violence, stigma and discrimination against sex workers, how Indian states treat them varies, and funding and drugs are not always available when and where they should be.

Over 91% of Indian sex workers used condoms in 2018, and no more than 1.6% of female sex workers had HIV (human immunodeficieny virus) and AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) in 2017, down from 2.75% in 2013, mirroring a decline reflected among the general population, according to the latest available data.

Over four years to 2017, the “HIV prevalence rate”, the percentage of people tested and found infected, among men who have sex with men also dropped from 4.4% to 2.7%, said a 2018 report from UNAIDS, a United Nations organisation, and India’s National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO).

As of 2017, India had a total of 2.17 million people living with HIV. New infections dropped 27% over seven years to 2017--from 120,000 to 88,000.

“This indicates that HIV prevalence is reducing among sex workers,” said a NACO representative, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Female and transgender sex workers and men who have sex with men are considered high-risk groups in determining HIV/AIDS prevalence.

“Globally, sex workers are 13 times more at risk of contracting HIV, when compared to the general population, because they are economically vulnerable, unable to negotiate consistent condom use, and experience violence, criminalisation and marginalisation,” said a 2018 study by UNAIDS.

The new data do not mean that sex workers now lead better lives.

Adorned with red lipstick and dressed in a long skirt with shiny earrings, Ramkali Kumar, 26, a transgender sex worker from the western Uttar Pradesh city of Noida, spoke about violent clients.

Business Standard