Ravi K. Verma, PhD¹, Julie Pulerwitz, ScD², S. S. Khandekar³, S Flessenkaemper, MD⁴, Vaishali Sharma Mahendra, MSc⁵, H Grosskurth, MD⁴, G Rangaiyan, PhD⁴, Johannes Van Dam, MD MPH⁶, and H Lhungdim⁷. (1) Population Council, Horizons, 53, Lodhi Estate, New Delhi, 110003, India, (2) Horizons project, PATH, 4301 Connecticut Avenue N.W., Suite 280, Washington DC, DC 20008, (202) 237-9400, jpulerwitz@pcdc.org, (3) CORO for Literacy, Near Container Yard, Suman Nagar, Suman Nagar, Chembur, Mumbai, 400 071, India, (4) HIV/STI Prevention & Care Research Program, Population Council, India, Zone 5A, Ground Floor of India Habitat Center, Lodi Road, New Delhi, 110003, India, (5) Population Council, Lodi Road, New Delhi, 110003, India, (6) HORIZONS, HORIZONS/Population Council, 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suit 280, Washington DC, WA 20008, (7) International Institute for Population Sciences, Govandi Station Road, Mumbai, 400 088, India

While there has been much discussion globally about the role of “masculinity” in creating vulnerabilities to HIV/STI and violence, there exists limited empirical information on how gender identity is constructed and enacted in India. Young men from low-income neighborhoods, in particular, may be at risk. 26 young men from a low-income community in Mumbai participated in In-Depth Interviews, and 19 participated in Key Informant interviews, and provided insights into their attitudes and behaviors related to gender roles, violence, and HIV/STI risk behavior. Gender-based violence is rooted in the construct of a ‘real man’ who dominates woman, exhibits aggression, and has multiple sexual partners. Older peers play a crucial role in reinforcing these beliefs. Women were often referred to as ‘Chhav’ or ‘item,’ implying that a woman is an object of possession for men. Operating in small groups, often led by an older peer, young man targeted women for sexual coercion. Coercion ranged from teasing to attempted rape. Young men defined an ‘ideal’ woman as the one who was shy and didn’t respond to men’s sexual advances and was therefore marriageable. In contrast, those girls who didn’t match these ideals ‘deserved’ (and were) sexually harassed and coerced. There is a need for programs to address gender norms – and utilize older peers as an educational source - when attempting to reduce HIV risk and violence amongst young men. A program that focuses on these issues is currently being designed for the Indian context.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will learn about the connections between traditional masculine gender norms, and sexual violence and HIV rish. Participants will learn about the particular expression of these connections amongst a young male population in India.

Keywords: Gender, HIV Risk Behavior

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.