More than 5 million Indians have HIV. Starting among people in the high-risk sex trade, the virus has spread to the general population. Poverty blocks many infected people from seeking proper care. Poverty also contributes to human trafficking in Mumbai (Bombay).

This Initiative will work with 10 to 16 community-based organizations in Mumbai to teach people to prevent the spread of HIV and care for infected people and their family members. Projects also will provide clear warnings about the risks and consequences of trafficking to vulnerable people, such as the children of prostitutes, who are often lured into the illegal trade.

The projects in this Initiative will bring together the best grass-roots implementers to address these issues in an integrated way that helps build a healthier society in one of the world’s most populous cities.

Initiative Profile »

India is a country of promise and poverty. It is a world leader in information technology, but Mumbai, its largest city, is the nation’s epicenter for prostitution and child trafficking. The number of people involved in India’s sex trade increased 50 percent in eight years, from 2 million in 1997 to 3 million in 2004, according to a 2006 Indian government study. Many of the 9,500 prostitutes interviewed in the study were minors, most entering the trade between the ages of 12 and 15. The study concluded that 90 percent of prostitutes are ages 15 to 35.

Mumbai’s 100,000 prostitutes, about half of whom are HIV-positive, are contributing to the spread of the virus. At the current pace, 11 million Indians will have died of AIDS-related illnesses between 2001 and 2026, according to Indian government figures. Curbing HIV infection rates and helping children in Mumbai avoid falling into the hands of traffickers will strengthen the entire country. Local implementers are already doing good work in this area. By joining forces through this Initiative, implementers will become even more effective and bring about greater Life Change.

Mumbai in Focus »

HIV/AIDS is striking down Indians in their most productive stages of life and weakenening people’s ability to support themselves and their families. About 90 percent of reported HIV cases are among Indians ages 15 to 44. Although India’s national prevalence rate is relatively low at 0.9 percent, an increase of just 0.1 percent would translate to an additional 500,000 infected people.

Targeting trafficking in Mumbai is strategic because many kidnapped people taken from throughout the region

are first brought to Mumbai before they are trafficked into forced labor. The U.S. State Department says 90 percent of Mumbai’s female prostitutes were exploited child sex workers.

By focusing on human trafficking, this Initiative also fights HIV/AIDS. Projects will target children of prostitutes who, without these interventions, may fall into prostitution themselves. By addressing both issues at once through local implementers, this Initiative will make Mumbai a healthier, safer place.

Ayesha Shabir Shaikh, 38, a daily wage earner and single mother of five in Veraval, India, was widowed when her husband died of an AIDS-related illness. She received help from an organization funded through Geneva Global. “My husband expired in 2000 due to HIV/AIDS. That time I also tested for HIV and was found positive. I have four boys and one girl. [At] that time my children were very small. My elder son was 12 years old and younger son was 2 years old. By the grace of God, all are HIV negative. After my husband’s death, my mother and brother supported me. Since my childhood we had a tough time [surviving] and [earning our] daily bread. So we worked very hard. It didn’t change after marriage and [the] death of my husband. Knowing about [my] HIV status, whenever I faced a problem or any sickness, I used to blame my husband for this plight and due to this I was more depressed ... Three years back, I came to know about [the organization funded by a Geneva Global client]. I started coming here to attend the meeting and started getting financial help. It was useful to me.”