Darshana Vyas, Project Director of Pathfinder International’s Mukta Project, presented May 26, 2010 on the lessons learned from the first phase of the Mukta Project in India. The Project covers 10 districts in the state of Maharashtra in India to reduce the prevalence of STIs and HIV/AIDS among female sex workers (FSWs), men who have sex with men (MSM), and their partners.
Mukta largely focuses on interventions such as peer-based BCC, delivery comperhensive healthcare services with a strong focus on quality STI management and care, and utilization of free and socially marketed condoms. It has consequently reached over 25,000 FSWs and MSM at-risk of contracting HIV and other STIs, as well as reduced the STI rate amont FSWs and MSM by over 30%.
As the Mukta Project entered its second phase, learn about the Project’s successes and challenges, as well as where empowerment in transitioning program implementationa and management is important.