Gender

Gender is a part of all human interactions and shapes the meaning of such terms as female, male, masculinity, and femininity. Gender is society’s expectation of how men and women should behave. ¹ Socially proscribed gender norms influence behaviors that put both women and men at risk for HIV, including gender-based violence and increased risk-taking—such as alcohol abuse and unsafe sexual practices—by men. Women make up more than half of those living with HIV around the world, due to both greater biological vulnerability and gender inequity. In many regions, women are unable to negotiate condom use or other protective measures with male partners. Women who become infected with HIV may face gender barriers that make it difficult to seek treatment and other critical services.

Gender norms also explain why many men who have sex with men, transgender people, sex workers and female injecting drug users—who are seen as transgressing male and female gender norms— experience stigma, discrimination, and violence.

The 2008 U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) re-authorization bill (HR5501) provides explicit guidance on incorporating gender issues into HIV prevention, treatment, care, and support strategies. “Gender issues are critical components in the effort to prevent HIV/AIDS and to care for those affected by the disease… [and the U.S. Government should] integrate a gender perspective across prevention, care, and treatment programs.” PEPFAR promotes the integration of the following strategies into HIV programs:

• Increasing gender equity into HIV/AIDS programs and services
• Reducing violence and coercion
• Addressing male norms and behaviors
• Increasing women’s legal rights and protection
• Increasing women’s access to income and productive resources.

To address this most critical of challenges to HIV and AIDS programming, AIDSTAR-One mainstreams gender issues across program activities. AIDSTAR-One:

• Compiles evidence on how HIV programs around the world are integrating, implementing, measuring, and replicating gender strategies.
• Expands the knowledge base by identifying lessons learned and enhancing information dissemination.
• Supports and promotes uptake of good and promising programmatic practices that improve gender sensitivity and integrate effective gender strategies into all HIV and AIDS services.

¹ E. Ettorre. 2004. Revisioning women and drug use:gender sensitivity, embodiment and reducing harm. International Journal of Drug Policy, 15, 2004, 327-335.