Empowering India’s Truckers: How Transgender Sex Workers Are Raising AIDS Awareness with Diesel, Oil, and Condoms

A volunteer demonstrates how to use a condom at a roadside booth, sharing an important tip: “If the packet feels dry, don’t use it. It’s expired.” His audience, a group of truck drivers, watches closely as traffic zooms by.

Nearby, transgender sex workers Ruby and Bhavna engage with drivers gathered at a tea stall. They challenge common misconceptions about safety. “Using lemon juice after unprotected sex won’t stop HIV. Nor will sleeping with a virgin,” warns Ruby, 30. “Only condoms can keep you and your families safe.” The drivers listen intently.

Organizations aim to educate Indian truck drivers about preventing sexually transmitted diseases, often working alongside commercial sex workers. These workers are often available at truck stops, where drivers spend long periods away from home.

Apollo Tyres Foundation collaborates with transgender sex workers after research indicated many drivers prefer their services. Rinika Grover, head of sustainability and CSR at Apollo Tyres, notes, “Drivers sometimes say they choose transgender workers because they are cheaper, but there’s often more to it.”

Due to their unique challenges, truck drivers are at higher risk for HIV, with a prevalence rate of 1.48%, significantly above India’s national average of 0.2%.

If you’re feeling unwell, go see a qualified doctor, not a local quack.

The Apollo Tyres Foundation has enlisted over 100 transgender sex workers for its HIV/AIDS outreach. They volunteer by educating drivers about the dangers, prevention methods, and treatment options. Some have even been hired for paid positions.

Bhavna, 34, engages the drivers during their tea break, reminding them, “Seek help only from qualified professionals.” Unfortunately, many drivers tend to rely on unlicensed practitioners who offer dubious advice, like using baking soda for treatments.

Ruby and Bhavna quiz the drivers to assess their knowledge. Responses can be surprising. One driver said HIV comes from “lack of hygiene,” while another thought STDs spread through sharing food.

The volunteers are familiar with the drivers’ realities. On a chilly day at the Sanjay Gandhi transport hub in Delhi, they find drivers in need. They’re usually exhausted, dressed in thin layers, and in dire need of a hot meal.

Despite their difficult circumstances, the shared experience of poverty creates trust. The drivers are more receptive to the advice given in straightforward language.

India has made strides in addressing the AIDS epidemic, with the current adult HIV prevalence declining from 0.32% in 2010 to 0.2% now. However, continuous educational initiatives and access to healthcare are still essential.

Amit Chaudhary, the program lead at Apollo’s foundation, emphasizes the importance of ongoing support: “We direct drivers to health centers offering free HIV testing, counseling, and treatment for other health issues.”

Since launching their project in 2022, they’ve reached over 100,000 truck drivers. This effort benefits both groups. Transgender workers gain a new sense of social status and confidence through their outreach, which helps them move beyond the stigmas they face.

Mayra Mehraf, 22, who has transitioned from sex work to become a trained health educator, expresses pride in her new role. “It’s inspiring for others to see that we can achieve more.”

Back in his cab, truck driver Ashok Kumar values the information he received during the session. He reflects, “I already knew some things, but I learned more. Ruby’s point that one condom protects both a driver and his wife really struck me.”