GAURAV (Greater Action of unity Rights Advocacy and Visibility) is a non-profitable Community Based Organization (CBO) registered with the Charity Commission in Mumbai working for Promotion, Protection and Enhancement of Health and Rights of man and trans women engaged in sex work, males who have sex with a male, and young (Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) communities. GAURAV has been nurtured by The Humsafar Trust and now a separate entity from The Humsafar Trust, GAURAV became the first and only community based organization to start working with Male Sex Workers in India. The Organisation started with donations from seven committee members because of their passion and drive to improve the lives of their fellow MSM and MSWs. GAURAV today has expanded service delivery beyond Mumbai to Nagpur district of Maharashtra with support from NACO funded Maharashtra State AIDS Control Society (MSACS). GAURAV is also part of AASTHA PARIVAAR (Federation of Sex Workers Organisations in Mumbai and Thane), INFOSEM (India Network for Sexual Minorities), APCOM (Asia Pacific Coalition on Male Sexual Health and APNSW (Asia Pacific Network of Sex Workers), and Partner of CONNECT (Network of Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) in India responds to health and human rights of Sexual Minorities).
GAURAV is conceived with following MISSION and VISION statement:
Mission Statement: To have a self-sustaining community for MSM in sex work and their partners to implement scaled prevention programs with a strong focus on networking and advocacy to strengthen project management, skill building and livelihood
Vision Statement: Promotion of positive health-seeking behavior and reduction of HIV and STI prevalence in the community
There has always been a lack of understanding on issues of MSW and MSW and the construct has always been stigmatized and the communities have faced discrimination by various sections of society. Sexual behavior of gay men and other Male Sex Worker (MSW) population is of concern since in spite of high levels of knowledge, MSW who have multiple partners practice sex without condoms with both commercial and non-commercial partners. Lack of acceptance from families and society enhances vulnerability and risk taking behavior.
The community based organization started with donations from seven committee members because of their passion and drive to improve the lives of their fellow MSM in sex work.
