IT industry needs AIDS awareness

HYDERABAD, INDIA: The Indian IT industry could just be one of the groups in need of exposure to AIDS awareness, feels experts in the health and welfare field.

Some IT companies are waking up to AIDS awareness and have taken the lead to implement AIDS policies in their companies. The World Bank Institute and Confederation of Indian Industries have jointly conducted a case studies report - Leadership, Impact and Innovation in the IT sector: building experiences on HIV/AIDS, stigma and inclusive development - which is slated to be released in June.

The report will speak of policies in large corporates like Satyam and TCS as well as initiatives in the SME segment.

The CII also conducted a day-long workshop on AIDS awareness initiatives and policies by IT companies in Hyderabad on Friday.

“The IT industry employs the youngest workforce which is prone to be infected with AIDS, bit it is also a young industry that is open to changes,” said Venkatesh Roddam, chief executive officer, Satyam BPO.

The economic changes and lack of social pressure on the youth have brought a multi layered change in the social fabric, felt experts. Casual and the lack of safe sex are some of the trends in IT professionals, said Chandravadan R V, project director, Andhra Pradesh State AIDS Control Society.

“There should be condom vending machines available in software companies. There is much resistance from IT companies for this move but is essential in controlling the virus,” he said.

S K Joshi, principal secretary (IT), Government of AP, said in response, “It is not right to target one group of people. It is imperative to have awareness and user friendly condom vending machines where youth and related high risk groups are present.”

The panel agreed to come with a common agenda and recommendations to be put forward to IT companies.