HIV

Sex workers, as one of the most marginalised communities, face multiple challenges such as stigma, discrimination, violence, poor health access, financial instability, and a lack of social safety nets. These issues are further intensified by limited rights awareness and the absence of essential identity documents, increasing their vulnerability to HIV and related risks.

To address these concerns, India HIV/AIDS Alliance, as the Principal Recipient (PR), in partnership with the All-India Network of Sex Workers (AINSW) and its sex worker-led Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), is implementing the C19RM-KP Grant across AINSW’s operational regions. This initiative aims to enhance access to social protection schemes, strengthen health resilience, and empower community leadership.

Plan India: The COVID-19 Key Population (KP) Grant, launched under the Global Fund’s The COVID-19 Key Population (KP) Grant, launched under the Global Fund’s pandemic response in India, aimed to address heightened vulnerabilities among sex workers, MSM, transgender individuals, PWID, and people living with HIV. Implemented by Plan India, the grant tackled gender, legal, and human rights barriers through community-led systems.

Plan India collaborated with key networks as SRs — Humsafar Trust, National Network of Transgender Persons, NCPI+, and the Indian Drug Users Forum and FPAI clinics. Service delivery extended through Sub-Sub Recipients (SSRs) to underserved regions. Central to the grant was building the capacity of grassroots leaders and CBOs for long-term sustainability.

SAATHII: SAATHII implements that C19 RM and KP grant, now called the C19 RM grant. The key interventions are provision of Social protection for key population, CBO strengthening and Provision of Legal literacy to Key population.