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About us |
What is Naz Foundation International?
Naz Foundation International (NFI) is an international MSM development agency that has been providing technical, institutional and financial assistance to MSM networks, groups, collectives and organisations in South Asia since 1996, along with some countries in South-East Asia . Along with NFI seeking to empower these groups and organisations so that they may develop and deliver their own sexual health and HIV prevention, support and care services, we also strongly advocate with donors, governments and non-government institutions for the urgent need to increase investment and rapid scaling up of service coverage, along with working with a number of institutions on policy development and support for research into male-male sexualities, behaviours and HIV epidemiology.
Whilst NFI is registered in the UK, as a not-for-profit non-governmental organisation, and has a small governance, policy and management office in London, it has established a regional programme office in Lucknow, India which provides policy and advocacy services across South Asia and elsewhere, undertakes research on relevant issues, mobilises resources, and provides technical assistance and support to its country partners. This office also hosts a Regional Training and Knowledge Centre. |
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An address given to the Risks and Responsibilities: Male Sexual Health and HIV International Consultation Meeting, 23-26 September 2006, New Delhi , India
…My son Arif was detained for 47 days and 47 nights in an Indian jail, together with three of his colleagues, for doing his job – helping to save lives, the lives of other Indian citizens, who just happen to be seen as different. Different in that as men they prefer other men as partners. I stand before you this evening as a loving mother of a son that I am proud to call “my son”, accepting him as he is, not what I would like him to be.
My loves does not only go out to my son Arif and his partner, but also to his work colleagues and friends, some of whom have spent time in jail whose work is to bring caring and supportive HIV services to those who at very high risk of infection.
I am a practising Muslim, a wife and mother with strong religious beliefs. I believe in compassion, justice and fairness. Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code is neither just nor fair. The pain of this discriminatory Section is with me every day. And so are my fears and anger that Arif, and many, many others are not protected by the laws of my India . What a paradox!
Discrimination can never be anything but an expression of shameful contempt for humankind. Discriminatory laws used and defended in any legal system of any country are totally incompatible with human civilisation. We need to awaken consciences as well as find positive ways to reduce this dreadful HIV epidemic.
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