Satyam Computer Services Ltd

HIV/AIDS prevention and stigma reduction in the IT sector

M. Sashi Kumar, and Sowmitri Satyam Foundation

CSR Arm of Satyam Computer Services ltd .

Major mode of transmission of HIV

infection in India is through unprotected

sex (87%)

Sex perceived to be a part of life… a part

of growing up of today’s IT work force

Casual sex is on a rise, compared to

encounter with commercial sex worker

Perception towards an encounter with a

commercial sex worker

– Risk of being seen in red light areas

– A pure business transaction

– Not much foreplay and natural exploration

– Just pure sexual release

Why Talk of HIV @ IT ?

Messages in mass media concentrate on HIV prevention and condom

usage.

The information through these messages is not detailed for

complete understanding of prevention. (Study conducted by

Futures, March 2007)

40% of unmarried IT employees have poor knowledge about STIs.

(Study conducted by Satyam Foundation, 2006)

85% of young adults (age 15-24 years) had heard about HIV, only

54.8% knew two correct modes of prevention (BSS Study, NACO,

2001)

Why Talk of HIV @ IT ?

High awareness does not necessarily mean high usages

Young Men Think:

There are many more opportunities and occasions and a no longer

depends solely on the commercial sex worker…

Furtive liaisons with a willing

–Neighbor

–Relative

–Colleagues

Young Women Think: –Overall women more open and expertimental

–Young girls out of college are willing to be sexual partners

–Casual sex not a taboo

Attitude Towards Sex – IT Work force

People–Target the Sphere of influence of Corporate–Involvement of employees–Involvement of PLHA networks

Content : Comprehensive approach - Awareness - Behavioral change communication- Policy framework - Access to condoms- Access to counseling- Access to testing & ARV Treatment

Society Commitment –Positive Prevention: Work with PLHA –Way forward is through Public-private partnerships

Design Strategy for Prevention Programmes

Associates Entry level

-Part of Induction program-Red Ribbon Clubs-Competitions-Talk Shows-Martial successes

Mid Level and Senior level

-Policy awareness-Family counseling-Adult children up bringing

VendorsA, B, C of prevention

Promotion for

Community Life Skills & HIV Education

Target Audience for Prevention Programmes

• Teaser Campaign • Outdoor communication • Integration with other services

Non negotiable• Messages on HIV AIDS have to be clear and

consistent. Only trained members of the team will speak on HIV AIDS in the gram sabha.

• PLHAs provide a face to the epidemic. Sensitivity towards PLHAs has to be of paramount importance.

Comprehensive Prevention Programmes

SATYAM Case Study:

SPHERE OF INFLUENCE

Society

Students

Customers and vendors

Employees of Satyam

AIDS Awareness & ICT: Web based

Talk shows in all locations

Questions on HIV as part of recruitment process

Induction Program

Various competitions to keep the topic on the boil

100% formation of Red Ribbon Clubs in all locations

25000 (60%) Satyamites covered through IEC and over 12000 have participated in various activities

Way from Awareness to B.C.C

Age groups: up to 25: Red Ribbon Clubs

25 – 35 Age group: Marriage counseling

Above 35: Parenthood and adult child program

SATYAM’s Strategy for its Employees

• Registration of Associates

• Familiarity of member on Subject

and each other

• Plan for activities at their location

for every quarter

• Review

• Suggestion from Advisory body

• Take up small scale project

• employment and empowerment -

that they bring out an e-zine called

sparsh published bi monthly by

associates of Satyam - Sparsh

Red Ribbon Clubs @ Satyam

Process

SATYAM’s Response: Red Ribbon Clubs

Collaterals

Collaterals

80% of responses from BSS study at SCSL say that they

don't discriminate if any person found positive with

immediate at family.

Who discriminates?– Family

– Workplace

– Health service

– Society

Existence of Stigma and Discrimination

Policy Level

- HR Involvement- Capturing associates feed back

on implementation- PDCA Cycle

Volunteerism

- Take up projects as part of CSR with PLHA networks

- IT Interface to improve services

Networking

- With Corporate bodies- With Local AIDS Control

Societies- With International NGOs / NGOs

Approach to Reduction of Stigma

SATYAM’s Response: Policy Level

August 2005 – November 2005

Awareness

December 2005 – February 2006

Involvement

Dec 2006 …

Community and Partnerships

March 2006 – November 2006

Adoption of Workplace Policy

SATYAM’s Response: Volunteerism

Targets to reach one lakh students by 2008

20, 000 students covered so far

Method

My Future – My Choice is a program aimed at undergraduate and above students on

Life Skill Education

Understanding Peer Pressure

HIV Education and

Corporate expectation of students

SATYAM’s Response: Volunteerism

Target audience :

Vendors/ housekeeping

staff/security

Others:

Industry associations, peer

companies ( to name a few

HRD Network, With HySEA,

Deloittee etc)

Methodologies Adopted

Peer group learning

Use of flip charts and small

group discussion

Expert talk

PLHA talk shows

Short films

Distribution of information

book leaflets (developed by

NGOs and government)

NATIONAL LEVEL CARTOON

COMPETITION: 182 Cartoonists

Entries: 564 national level & 5

International : Collection published

Facilitated forums at Hyderabad,

Pune: Hyderabad Hub and Wake

up Pune for prevention messages

to general public

Design programs for Livelihoods

support to PLHA

SATYAM’s Response: Volunteerism

Wake Up Pune Hyderabad Hub

SATYAM’s Response: Networking

Top Level Leadership

- CEO Commitment and oversight

Integrated approach Targeted interventions to the sphere of influence Sustained campaign Long term commitment Democratized leadership Sensitive to Mid –level management concerns Involvement of HR of the corporate Mainstreaming the Policy

- e.g. ‘SHE’ initiative

Its not just money, but Creativity Good Partners/ Alliances

- Government, NGOs, Networks, et al

An open non-dogmatic approach

Lessons Learnt

For further Information:

Balaji_Utla@satyam.com +91-984-900-8092

Sashi_kumar@satyam.com +91-984-853-3023

Sowmi_VR@satyam.com +91-984-856-4699

Together we can make an

AIDS- free world,

A REALITY!!!