Comprehensive training report for training by STRC Delhi

2013

SEX, SEXUALITY AND GENDER DESCRIPENCIES

COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING REPORT FOR TRAINING

Title of Training Course Type of Training Dates of Training Duration of Training Venue of Training Details of Facilitators

SEX, SEXUALITY AND GENDER DESCRIPENCIES Non Residential 19th-20th July 2013 2 days Dept. Of Social Work, University of Delhi. Dr. Ashok kumar, Ms. Monika Mendiratta, Mr. Narender Sindhi, Ms. Tripti Oberai, Mr. Vikram Kaul, Mr. Sham Lal

Details of Participants Sessionsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Plan/Agenda

Attached New initiative taken by STRC in consultation with DSACS and TSU

Executive summary:

There is a growing realization that gender inequalities facilitate the spread of HIV and intensify the burden of HIV transmission to a large extent. NACP III places high priority on addressing gender inequalities and calls for increased and improved action to address issues of gender inequalities in the context of HIV/AIDS. NACO has reiterated its commitment to address the issues of gender inequalities by formulating the Policy Guidelines to Mainstreaming Gender in HIV Program. The policy guidelines specifically mention about the training and capacity building process on gender and its inks with HIV. Strengthening the capacity of state level functionaries is central to the entire capacity building process on gender mainstreaming Keeping this in view, training cum workshop was organized to develop state resource pool in Delhi state on Gender mainstreaming in line with the guideline by State Training and Resource centre (STRC) Delhi with the support of DSACS. STRC with its constant effort to ensure standardized and quality trainings to different categories of staff working with the NGOs/CBO on targeted interventions with high risk groups aiming at risk reduction organized a two day workshop of Program Managers on the 19 th and 20th of July 2013. A total number of 34 participants attended the training. The main purpose of the workshop was to orient the NGO staff on the basics of the “Sex, Sexuality And Gender Discrepancies” within the community. The training was participatory in nature and followed simple methodology through presentations, discussion, group work, games etc.

OBJECTIVES OF THE TRAINING PROGRAM: •

As the trend of trainings going on in TI field in various typologies, it was observed that the staff were partially aware about the sex and sexual behaviours of an individual. More over in field visits and joint visits conducted by DSACS, TSU and STRC team, it was observed that there were discomfort and taboo for the word “SEX”. Even though working in the field of Public Health there were stigma and myths within the community on the said topic. Thus forth, to introduce and explore issues and to train participants who have no prior knowledge on the issues related to Sex, Sexuality and Gender Disparities within the community, which was firmly emerged from the field.

BRIEF EXCERPT FROM THE SESSIONS:

The training with the trainees began with a session on introduction and expectation setting. The consensus reached in the group was that the key outcome expected was to understand the Gender and how it can be mainstreamed into to the program . {Expectations Noted}:- Gender is about the power relation between and among men and women. Gender changes with the community, culture, time.Gender inequality not only impact the spread of HIV but its consequences.Gender relations, power balance, gender stereotype has to be addressed to address the HIV epidemic. In order to enable the participants to become more aware of various words related to sex and sexuality and increase their comfort level in discussing sex and sexuality. To explore the attitude and values associated with sex were the main objective of the session by developing a sexual vocabulary among the participants and to ensure that participants are aware of the importance of using the same language as their clients to increase their comfort levels. While keeping in view of sexual vocabularies, the facilitator persists for the increasing awareness of Sexual Organs And Erotic Zones by Body Mapping. Even though it was observed that while discussing the local vocabularies, the participants felt ashamed and a taboo appeared on their respective faces as they were not comfortable with the slang vocabularies used within the community. The main aim was : •

To increase participants awareness of different perceptions about the sexual organs of the body, how they function and the “erotic zones”.

•

To bring out levels of Comfort and discomfort with sexual parts of the body.

•

To increase comfort with verbalization of parts of the body related to sex.

Points of Discussion were: •

Sexual Practices—How to sexually stimulate a man ?,,,,,,a woman?

•

The erotic parts/zones of the body

•

Erotic vs sexual

•

Sensitivity—Pain and pleasure of different areas.

While coming over through the body mapping, the session was directed towards the basics of Sex and Sexuality.

In order to know the level of understanding of participants, the facilitator asked them about the view of a naked body and draw their naked body on a chart paper, to which almost all the participants were hesitating and draw the body with cloths. They felt ashamed of drawing the naked body as they felt something unusual with them which clearly defines their level of understanding. Later on the facilitator started the session by asking the participant’s three questions which are as follows. 1. Recall the first time you heard the word sex and how old were you then? 2. Recall the first time you asked someone about sex and under what circumstances? 3. Have you ever seen yourself naked in front of the mirror? For this exercise, the participants were divided into pair of two and each partner had to answer the questions on behalf of his/her partner. The main purpose of this exercise was to make them feel comfortable to the word “sex”. The facilitator also asked the participants what is the first thing that comes to their mind when they hear the word “sex”. The group responses were – sex is pleasurable, painful, reproduction, commitment to our partner and sexuality refers to sexual thoughts, desires and sexual preferences and behavior. The facilitator also highlighted on the aspect of society’s intolerance towards anyone who is not of the sexual norm. Sexual Identities: The difference between behavior and identity was discussed. To explain the example it is like a koti does not identify herself as gay (as she sees herself as a woman) and the behavior is homosexual. Trainers need to keep in mind that there are differences between different groups and when programs are being planned this needs to be kept in mind. Myths and rituals around sexuality needs to be addressed Key Learning: •

The participants learned different local terminologies related to sex and sexuality.

•

Participants got to know society’s perceptions of sex and sexuality.

•

Sexuality can be too personal a subject that they would not want to share and therefore shouldn’t be pushed. The trainers body language impacts how people respond to them. Also need to create the space for people to open up but not make people open up.

Engendering Targeted Intervention (TI): The purpose of this session was to develop the understanding of the participants on gendered nature of TI program and inputs required to make these program more gender sensitive The session began with the discussion around Targeted Intervention as a strategy was adopted to saturate the HRG (i.e. High risk groups, namely Men who have sex with Men, Intravenous Drug users and Female sex workers) The components of TI includes Behaviour Change Communication, Condom promotion, STI Management ,Enabling Environment, Community Mobilisation and Referrals and linkages The participants were divided into groups and asked to identify gender gaps in each component of TI and key recommendations/inputs to address these gaps. The summary of all group presentations(charts) is as follows IDU Behavior Change Communicatio n

• Family counseling • Increased capacity building of peers/outreach workers on involvement and family (change in outreach strategy

Service Provisions

• Strengthening partners management programme (access) • Establishing peer support group – involvement of female IDUs and partners

Condom promotion

• Capacity building for both male and female condoms • Wider availability and accessibility of female condoms

Enabling Environment

• Evidence generation through KABP study/vulnerability study/situational assessment • Use of national Day and events

Referral and linkages

• Legal • Family planning/Sexual reproductive health/livelihood support

Community mobilization

• Involvement of key stakeholders in events • Information dissemination

FSW Behavior Change Communicatio

• Removal of myths and misconceptions • Client/stakeholder specific BCC

n Condom promotion Enabling Environment Linkages and services Community mobilization STI management

• Availability and accessibility of male and female condom – social marketing • Empowerment in negotiating condom use (additional budget – capacity building and training material) • Creating vocational options – SHGs, micro financing (innovative schemes – tailoring and beauty culture) • Advocacy and sensitization of youth against bullying/teasing of FSWs (community based programming) • Taking care of general health/non health • Strengthening referral services • Sensitization of community toward acceptance of sex work as a profession • Involvement of community members/clients in various communities • Capacity building of health personnel including Ayush (female issues) • Improving accessibility /availability (timing for female doctors and recruitment)

MSM Behavior Change Communicatio n Condom promotion

Enabling Environment

Referral and linkages Community mobilization Service

• Sensitization about gender identity including awareness of self being of implementers as well as target group (training by STRC for peer educators; hotspot meeting, peer educator honorarium) • Target specific (gender specific) tools like IEC • Target specific availability of condom – flavored, more lubricated condom (CSM, procurement from SACS) • More focus on availability of adequate lubes as per demand • Right to carry condom and use of condom (crisis management fund) • Advocacy of family/stakeholders through media (advocacy budget to increase) • Advocacy with policy makers (SACS) • Provision of legal help at the level of SACS • Involvement of community leaders/stakeholders to be a spokesperson • Sensitization of providers (STRC training in the field) • Linkage with income generation resources (infield sensitization) by channeling government as well as financial institutions • Access to bring about the change within the community by giving them capacity to do so (capacity building – prioritized) • Provision of enough space to express their identity freely (DIC – relocation of fund) • Sensitization and skill building of service providers to give target

provision

specific services (training by STRC of doctor/ANM/counselor)

Summary of discussion: • • • • •

The sexual partners/spouses should be covered in the service delivery system in TI Female condom should be promoted as empowering tool in TI Barriers in STI ,condom and other services should be addressed Communication materials derived out of the BCC strategy should address the gender concerns The violence and other crisis should be covered on priority basis

The component of STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection) was also discussed in details: The STI management system like Presumptive treatment, Syndromic case management, VDRL testing was also discussed. Facilitator emphasized about the linkage with other services as TI alone can’t offer everything to HRGs. We have to address the other felt need of the community which requires effective networking with other organization for other programs like TB control, SHG formation, and vocational training etc.Facilitator discussed about the stakeholders to be involved in the advocacy meetings like doctor, pimp, police, shopkeeper, rickshaw puller, local leaders etc. KEY LEARNING: The participants learned about the various components of TI with special focus on STIs. Their myths were cleared with regard to STIs in order to enable them to have a correct knowledge. Participants were keen interested to know about the attitude towards the sexual behaviour in context of the sexual identity on an individual. They were going to make number of statements related to sex and sexuality. The statement clearly redefines the queries on: •

Homosexual

•

Heterosexual

•

Bisexual

•

Asexual

•

Metro sexual

Facilitator facilitates with brief discussion about sexual orientation, feelings and beliefs attached to them. It was clearly delivered to participants that Sexual orientation is believed to be a mixture of both Nature (Biology) and Nurture (Socio Conditioning).

“Sexual behavior and Sexual Identity depends very much on the society one lives in. Sexual Behavior and Sexual Identity are choices”

Social and Cultural Expectations: To de-stigmatize the behavior of the participants towards the sexual approaches within the community, various religious, social and cultural expectations were discussed including religious events and obligations, customs and social expectations, leaving the family home, prolong health issues, losing family and friends, sexual experiences (including violence and abuses), which further ends up with the vulnerability of female partners of men, gay partners, Transgender etc. Generally speaking, risk taking is associated with personal choice regarding sexual behavior. Vulnerability is associated with social conditions, institutional structures, or personal experiences shared, that may affect sexual behavior.

Use of Advocacy and Networking: A brief concept of advocacy was emerged during the workshop in order to facilitate the conceptualization of networking and building partnerships with different stakeholders in order to develop specific object for any intervention process within the society. Advocacy in MTH-related Legal Services: •

Handling issues related to police harassment

Communication Strategies Feedback on barriers

They will provide services Feedback on quality of services Follow-up cards collected and given to the CBO

Community Member

CBO

Service Provider Sensitise service providers to community-needs

Needs of the community members

Provide follow-up cards to community members

•

Tackling blackmail faced by the community members

•

Parental pressures and harassment by the family members

•

Attempted suicides

•

Legal standing of sex reassignment surgeries- covered in detail in Legal and Human Rights Module

•

Government/Documentation Services

A brief concept of communication was incorporated while discussing on Advocacy and Networking. The way and process of sharing the ideas, receiving and pertaining thoughts and feelings from other people tends to be the effective communication which readily helps in pertaining the good networking within the community. Advocacy and Networking leads to community meeting, Lobbying, Media Campaign, Documentation, community security initiatives within the community. Building partnerships with other NGO’s and Socio economic agencies will lead to the minimum crisis intervention within the pool of social work practices. List of stake holders and ways of building partnerships were discussed with the participants which were highly appreciated. Facilitator facilitates the importance of building up the rapport building within the community and ways to seek the need based support from the said organizations.

Although various programs like Involvement of TI Typologies, and Peer-Based programs were also discussed for the up-liftment of the community.

Training Feedback of the Participants:

• •

More detailed session should be arranged for the TI staff of IDU’s

•

Other Socioeconomic related issues should be incorporated in next trainings.

•

Specific Issues on MTH should be discussed in details with involvement of the Nayaks and Other Heads.

•

Incorporation of Legal Rights in Sex, Sexuality and Gender issues pertaining into community.

•

All TI staff should be Oriented on such a vital topic.

•

Training days should be increases for much clarity and better understanding.

•

The Audio Visual recording of the session took place which would be a record for participants Knowledge, attitude, behavior and Practices within the training.

Facilitator Ratings (Out of 25)

ANNEXTURE- 1 TIME

SESSION

RESOURCE PERSON

DAY-1 10:00-10:30

Welcome and Introduction.

STRC

10:30-11:00

Expectations, Goals and outline of Training.

STRC

11:00-01:30

Introduction to Human Sexuality, Developing Sexual Vocabulary and Body Mapping in TI prospective

Narender Sindhi

2:15-03:00

“Gender” and its relation with Sex and Sexuality

Dr. Ashok Kumar

03:00-04:00

Working with High Risk Groups in a community context

Monika Mendiratta

04:00-05:30

Sexual Health:

Monika Mendiratta

•

Brainstorming of STI and HIV

•

Transmission of STI and HIV and its prevention

•

Vulnerability and Risk Behaviors . DAY-2 RECAP of DAY-1 (10:00-10:30)

10:30-12:00

Attitude towards sexual Behavior including Sexual Identities

Vikram Kaul

12:00-01:30

Social and Cultural approaches towards sexuality

Vikram Kaul

2:15-3:30

Developing Programs : • •

Vikram Kaul

Advocacy and networking Involvement of TI Typologies •

Peer-Based programs

3:30-04:15

Building Partnerships and Networking in context of Crisis

04:15-05:15

Developing short term Action Plan.

05:15-05:30

FEED BACK of TRAINING VOTE OF THANKS FROM STRC

Tripti Oberai STRC TEAM STRC

Annexture-2:

S.N o

Name of Participants

Pre Test Score

Post Test Score

Abid Ali

Manisha Verma

Ashok Kumar Morya

Rajeev Kumar

Raja Bhiya

Ravinder Ojha

Shyam Lal

Deepa

Sudhir Kumar

Hemlata

Vijay Anand

Leena

Sarika Saxena

Rahul

Nitin Saxena

Rajesh Kaserwani

Shalini Chandra

Alpana Awasthi

Lalit Mohan

Sujita Gohlant

Pankaj Kumar Pathak

Manoj Benjwal

Shiv Kumar

Sunil Kumar

Anita

Rajender Kumar

Daini Kumar

H.S.Pathak

Pradeep Kumar

Vijay Verma

Kamal Kumar

Vishal

Amit Kumar

Vijay Singh