Health Movement and Civil Society Activism: An Interface of Overlap and Exclusion

Published date01 December 2016
DOI10.1177/2321023016665531
Date01 December 2016
Subject MatterArticles
Article
Health Movement and Civil
Society Activism: An Interface
of Overlap and Exclusion
Skylab Sahu1
Abstract
Of late, the human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) has
become a cause of concern for both the state and the non-state actors. The activism led by civil society
on HIV/AIDS and health movements espouses the health needs and rights of HIV positive people. While
playing politically active role, at times civil society organizations (CSOs) support health movements, and
their activities overlap. Although these groups are different in nature, structure and strategies, there
are some commonalities among them. This article discusses the opportunities for coalition between
CSOs and health movement, and also analyzes problems that lead to exclusion.
The joint efforts of movements and CSOs have influenced the policy formulation and implementation
towards ensuring rights of HIV positive people. There are several conducive factors towards building
a strong network between CSOs and health movement. However, due to limitations associated with
their activities, a strong coalition has not been possible resulting in a lack of a strong social movement.
Keywords
Civil society organizations, activism, rights, HIV/AIDS, health movement, India
Introduction
The era of globalization that began towards the late 1980s has been considered as an epitome of change
in the social, economic, cultural and political field. In India, both the arena of mainstream politics and
subaltern politics (generally captured by social movements and politically active civil society) received
new challenges and opportunities. Globalization has been perceived as either positive or negative or a
force that combines both.2 In the era of globalization, civil society activism and social movements got
1 Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Miranda House, University of Delhi, Delhi, India.
2
There are scholars who view globalization as a contributing factor to conflict (Attali, 1991; Barber, 1995; Lerche, 1998; Scholte,
1997; Waters, 1995). Globalization is seen as a force that increases the rift between new groups of haves and have-nots and as a
cause of inequality (Frank & Cook, 1995; Leamer, 1998; Lee, 1996; Osland, 2003; Pritchett, 1997; Rodrik, 1997; Wood, 1994).
There are global justice movements that oppose neoliberal control of global transformations (Donatella della Porta & Mario Diani,
2006). Scholars have also analyzed globalization as a positive force; due to globalization, there was increase in income and wages
Studies in Indian Politics
4(2) 206–217
© 2016 Lokniti, Centre for the
Study of Developing Societies
SAGE Publications
sagepub.in/home.nav
DOI: 10.1177/2321023016665531
http://inp.sagepub.com
Corresponding author:
Skylab Sahu, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Miranda House, University of Delhi, Delhi
110021, India.
E-mail: skylab81@yahoo.co.in

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