The AIDS Community contributed to the drawing up of plans to implement a pilot project in the state of Gujarat to make it one of the least stigmatized states in India.

In Gujarat, Dr. Rajesh Gopal of the State AIDS Control Society (GSACS) has implemented district programs in the part of the state most affected by HIV to help reduce the prevalence of HIV. He provided instrumental support to People Living with HIV (PLHIV) enabling them to set up the Gujarat Network of Positive People, and energize the group towards achieving the best environment in the country for applying the Greater Involvement of People with HIV and AIDS (GIPA) principles.

During the Visioning Workshop of the AIDS Community (in September 2006), Dr. Gopal presented his work to the Community, leading to the formation of an Action Group to work on Denial, Stigma and Discrimination (DSD) issues in Gujarat, which he convened and facilitated.

The action group meeting brought together the most active members of the AIDS Community, who contributed had previously contributed to a query raised by Dr. Gopal on DSD. Moreover, the meeting helped him to select and draw up the most feasible plans for implementing a pilot project in the state to make Gujarat one of the least stigmatizing states in India, supported by the AIDS Community. (“A Mild Dose of Power” article from The Financial Express contains a quote from a member of the action group)