Political leadership and action is clearly needed to set the direction for a statewide or nationwide response and initiate the development of policies that provide the overall strategy to manage the epidemic. In many countries in the world a lack of political

will has delayed a coherent response to dealing with the epidemic in a number of areas, including government levels. This has often occurred through a lack of recognition of the significance of the potential impact of the epidemic. In India, a forum, comprising of Parliamentarians, has been established to mobilize them to recognize prevention of HIV and STI transmission as a national duty.

It was recognized by UNAIDS that the establishment of a high level political response towards HIV/AIDS provides leadership and direction to other sectors of the community. Wherever this leadership has occurred and national policies and programmes have been established, there is a greater level of acceptance and the tolerance of people with HIV/AIDS often develops. This leads to a more effective response towards prevention and care programmes targeting marginalized people vulnerable to HIV transmission

Against this backdrop, the programme has been conceived as a joint venture of MANT and West Bengal State AIDS Prevention and Control Society, to form and stabilize one activated Forum consisting of MLAs through the exchange of knowledge on HIV/AIDS issues and to

increase their Awareness, Knowledge, Understanding and Commitment. Through meetings and campaigning, the Forum could be an instrument in stimulating support for NACP in West Bengal.

The project got initiated on 4th August 2004 at West Bengal Legislative Assembly with Honorable Speaker Mr. Hasim Abdul Halim on Chair. Honorable Chief Minister Mr. Buddhadeb Bhattacharya inaugurated the project and Mr. Oscar Fernandez, Minister of State, Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of India delivered the keynote address. The other luminaries present were Dr. Surja Kanta Mishra, Minister-In- Charge, Health and Family Welfare and Panchayats and Rural Development Department, Government of West Bengal, Mr. Pratyush Mukherjee, MOS, Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of West Bengal, Mr. Rabin Deb, Chief Govt. Whip, Mr. Pankaj Banerjee, Leader of the Opposition, West Bengal Legislative Assembly, Mr. J.V.R. Prasad Rao, Secretary, Ministry of Health, Government of India

During 2004 to 2007 we could successfully conduct 18 District Level Advocacy Workshops on HIV/AIDS in 17 districts of West Bengal, namely, Howrah, South 24 Parganas, East Medinipur, Purulia, Murshidabad, Malda, Bankura Kolkata, North 24 Parganas, Nadia, Hooghly, West Medinipur, Birbhum, Jalpaiguri, Coochbehar, Darjeeling, and Burdwan. District Level Advocacy Workshops on HIV/AIDS were duly attended by the District Magistrates, Sabhadhipaties, MLAs, Members of the Zilla Parishads, BDOs, BMOHs, CDPOs, CMOHs, and other Government Officials.

Apart from the District Level Advocacy Workshops, an Interactive Meeting was organized at the Conference Hall of Swasthya Bhaban, Salt Lake City Kolkata, on 4-5-2005 to discuss programmes, problems and scope of collaboration related to HIV/AIDS prevention at the project level. Partner NGOs of West Bengal State AIDS Prevention and Control Society, all Deputy CMOH-IIs and members of the Legislators’ Forum on HIV/AIDS have participated in the programme.

In continuation, MANT with support form West Bengal Legislative Assembly and West Bengal State AIDS Prevention and Control Society, Government of West Bengal facilitated the process of reconstitution of the Forum after Assembly Election held in 2006. Finally on 16th January 2007 the newly constituted Forum started its journey at Syed Nausher Ali Hall, West Bengal Legislative Assembly in presence of Honorable Chief Minister Shri Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, Honorable Speaker, Shri Hasim Abdul Halim, Dr. Surja Kanta Mishra, Honorable Minister-In –Charge, Health and Family Welfare and P& RD Department, Government of West Bengal, Dr. Manas Bhuinya, Leader of Legislative Party of INC, Dr. Tapati Saha, Chairperson, Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare and Convener, West Bengal Legislators’ Forum on HIV/AIDS, Dr. R.S. Shukla, Project Director, West Bengal State AIDS Prevention and Control Society and 200 MLAs and dignitaries

In 2007, 3 District Level Advocacy Workshops were organized to cover 3 of the districts of West Bengal.