AIDSTAR-One Is Looking for Programs That Integrate Gender in HIV Programming for Most at Risk Populations

AIDSTAR-One is currently looking for programs working with and for most at risk populations (MARP) that are integrating gender into their programmatic approaches. If you know of innovative MARP programs integrating gender, we want to know about it!

The USAID-funded AIDSTAR-One project is compiling a compendium of case studies on programs that have successfully integrated gender strategies into their work with most at risk populations (MARPs), including:

  • Injecting drug users (IDU)
  • Male and female sex workers (SW)
  • Transgender women (TG)
  • Men who have sex with men (MSM)

The compendium will document and disseminate good and promising programmatic practices for integrating gender into MARP programs and will focus on programs in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, the Middle East and North Africa, Central and Latin America, South Asia and Southeast Asia.

We are looking for programs that incorporate an understanding of how gender norms influence risk behaviors and influence access to, and use of, HIV prevention, care, support and treatment programs and services. Programs can use a number of approaches to address or influence gender norms including, but not limited to:

Increasing gender equity and access to HIV/AIDS programs and services:

  • Conduct studies to understand the unique needs of male and female IDU, TG, or male and female sex workers and tailor services to address those needs
  • Disaggregating data by male, female and transgender beneficiaries

Reducing gender-based violence (GBV) and coercion:

  • Provide appropriate medical services to MARPs experiencing GBV such as, but not limited to: post-exposure prophylaxis, providing HIV/STI testing and treatment or referral services, providing referral to legal, counseling and support services
  • Strengthen policies/laws and legal/judicial systems to create disincentives for perpetrators of GBV against MARPs

Addressing Gender Norms and Behaviors:

  • Change norms, attitudes and behaviors that support harmful behaviors
  • Foster male involvement in the health seeking process for themselves or for their SW, MSM, TG or IDU partner (i.e. in PMTCT, HIV counseling and testing, HIV care and treatment, etc.)
  • Train TG and male and female sex workers to negotiate condom use with clients and intimate partners

Increasing Legal Rights and Protection:

  • Change norms, attitudes and beliefs which support discrimination against MARPs' legal rights and protection
  • Increase awareness of existing laws that protect the rights of MARPs
  • Advocate to enforce anti-discrimination policies and laws

Increasing Access to Income and Productive Resources:

  • Create opportunities for male, female and TG sex workers and IDUs to seek education/skills development
  • Remove legal barriers to MARPs employment, control of resources, property ownership and access to credit

To nominate a program (or for more information) please send the name, contact information, and a sentence or two about why you are nominating the program to the appropriate person listed below. We may contact you to ask you a few questions about the program. AIDSTAR-One will contact the program for more detailed information using a standardized survey.

ASIA: Kai Spratt (kspratt@jsi.com)

EASTERN and CENTRAL EUROPE, and MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA: Diane Gardsbane (dgardsbane@encompassworld.com)

LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN: Myra Betron (mbetron@icrw.org)

Get AIDSTAR-One email updates FAQs Feedback