Know Violence: Exploring the Links between Violence, Mental Health and HIV Risk among Men Who have Sex with Men and Transwomen in South Asia

This report by UNDP, ICRW and APCOM Foundation explores the links between violence, mental health and HIV risk among men who have sex with men and transwomen in seven South Asian countries – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. It is based on focus group discussions in 12 sites in 7 countries with men who have sex with men and transwomen who have direct experience of violence, as well as interviews with key informants from community-based organizations, health, law, and government. The report provides concrete recommendations to stakeholders across many sectors to mitigate and minimize the effects of violence on mental health and HIV vulnerabilities through programme and policy efforts.