CODE Project: Aastha Parivaar / The Humsafar Trust-India

Aastha Parivaar / The Humsafar Trust
India

Aastha Parivaar is a community-led organisation empowering sex workers in Mumbai and Thane, uniting bar dancers, street-based, home-based, male and transgender sex workers under a shared platform of solidarity and rights. In the CODE project, The Humsafar Trust — India’s first LGBTQ+ community-based organisation, founded in 1994 — provides technical support to Aastha Parivaar.

“I am thankful to the CODE project for providing us with this opportunity to mobilise LGBTQ+ communities and connect them with HIV testing and PrEP-related services. The Digital CLM tool is a powerful tool for advocacy, and I hope that we will be able to leverage and sustain this initiative.”
— Murugesan S., CODE Project Focal Point

Registered in 2009 under the Societies Registration Act, Aastha Parivaar addresses sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), crisis response, legal aid, social protection and advocacy to reduce risk and vulnerability for sex workers and their families. Accredited under 12A, 80G, FCRA and CSR-1, it continues to advance dignity, agency and well-being for marginalised key populations in Maharashtra.

The Humsafar Trust, founded in 1994 in Mumbai, is India’s first community-based organisation for LGBTQ+ people and has led national efforts on LGBTQ+ health, rights and wellbeing. Supported by NACO and MDACS, HST provides HIV prevention, testing, treatment, mental health and counselling services through its clinics and community networks, and nurtures support groups such as YAARIYAN (LGBTQ+ youth), UMANG (LBT persons) and SANJEEVANI (people living with HIV).

Under the EJAF-supported CODE Strategies project, the two organisations have together:

Implemented the testBOM digital campaign directing communities to HIV testing and PrEP services in Mumbai.
Trained 30 frontline healthcare workers of the Mumbai District AIDS Control Society on person-centred care.
Brought MSM and youth representatives into district-level community resource groups and strengthened referral systems with district authorities.