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FOUND 76
This background paper explores the situation for young women in Kenya, where they are four times more likely to contract HIV than young men. The author points to multi-sectoral policy interventions as necessary to better protect young women and to create an enabling environment where they can make healthier sexual decisions.
This paper provides a summary of the evidence at a global level on who is missing out on programming to achieve an "AIDS-free generation." In addition, the article provides evidence-based interventions which may be implemented to improve both HIV and equity outcomes. The paper raises and explains three key issues and goals: eliminating new HIV infections in children and keeping families healthy; preventing HIV infections among adolescents and…
The International Center for Research on Women (ICRW) developed a participatory research action project in Tanzania to understand and address HIV-risk among adolescent girls and young women. The program centered around a life-skills manual, teaching girls about their rights, roles in society, and how to address their needs within their communities. This report goes into detail about the rigorous research methods used for monitoring and…
Poverty, Gender, and Youth: First Generation of Gender and HIV Programs: Seeking Clarity and Synergy
As the recognition towards the disproportionate female-to-male infection ratio is being recognized, more programs around gender and HIV are being developed. However, this paper argues that many of these programs do not have specific target audiences, content, or evaluation plans. This paper reviews 63 well-known HIV and Gender programs and evaluates their attribution to gender inequities, selected target populations, measurement of results, and…
This newly released report, published by UNICEF with UNAIDS, UNESCO, UNFPA, ILO, WHO and the World Bank, describes the state of the epidemic in young people, the evidence for effective responses that address behavioural, social and structural challenges and prevent new HIV infections in young people. Country-specific data is shared.
This booklet responds to relevant, often sensitive questions asked by young women living with HIV. It provides factual and helpful information on how to maintain healthy relationships, practice safe sex, prepare for pregnancy, and seek support networks.
Data from a cluster randomized trial was used to assess the effects of an intervention using group-based micro-financing along with gender and HIV training to reduce HIV risk behavior and Intimate Partner Violence. The evaluation, based in rural South Africa, comments on the ability of women to engage in more empowered HIV risk reducing practices after participating in the program.
This brief highlights why it is important for girls to stay in school, and how poor educational status is highly correlated with HIV infection. A range of interventions to address this issue are given, as well as key questions to consider when advocating for girls’ rights to education. This article can be accessed on-line here.
A brief describes the linkages between young age, sexual violence, and HIV/AIDS and describes policy and program responses.
The purpose of the matrix is to provide youth-serving organizations with a guide of topics on family planning, HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and gender; segmenting them by age and marital status. The matrix can assist technical experts, program managers, health providers, peer educators and others to determine what topics and interventions best fit into their own respective programs while taking cultural paradigms into…
UNFPA’s Advocacy Guide focuses on three effective responses to HIV prevention: improving access to sexual and reproductive health services, expanding socio-economic opportunities, and ending child marriage. Based on these goals, ten advocacy messages were developed and the report details the rationale behind them, global examples, and ways to address the issues politically and programmatically.
This paper considers the risks to young women of cross-generational sex, given that young women (15-24 years old) in sub-Saharan Africa are three times more likely to be infected with HIV than young men of the same age.
This four-page brief discusses the major factors that place girls at risk of HIV infection: social isolation, absence from school, child marriage, unsafe sex, and pressure to provide productive labor. The document offers suggestions on better reaching girls, including targeting areas with high concentrations of girls, increasing adolescent girls' attendance in school, delaying marriage, supporting girls-only spaces, mentoring, and livelihoods…
This paper explores the relationship between economic independence, empowerment, and reproductive health for girls and young women. With a focus on East and Southern Africa, it uses examples of promising programs to highlight potential responses and lessons learned.
These fact sheets intertwine gender as part of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and provide gender-sensitive, topic-specific information on the core areas of HIV/AIDS. Some of these areas include Human Rights, Education, Global Commitments, Young People, Male Participation, Conflict Situations, Rural Development, and Monitoring and Evaluation.
This article explores the gender dimensions of the AIDS pandemic, focusing on its impact on the girl child. It draws on the rights-based approach and argues that the protection and recognition of the rights of the girl child are essential in the face of the AIDS pandemic in Southern Africa. The article gives insights into some innovative programmes that have been developed in Zimbabwe and recommendations for improving the conditions of, and…
There is now greater urgency for global policy action because child brides are increasingly more vulnerable to HIV infection. This policy guide is part of a wider advocacy strategy to raise awareness on child marriage and its effects on communities. It is also part of the wider initiative on preventing HIV infection, particularly among adolescent girls and it aims to stimulate decision- makers worldwide, in particular government policy-makers,…
Attitudes towards gender that are formed in early childhood can play a significant role in creating adult behaviors that lead to the spread of HIV/AIDS. This working paper explores how to use the early years to lay the foundations for HIV/AIDS prevention.
The Society for Adolescent Medicine notes progress in the scientific understanding of the diagnosis and treatment of HIV. Likewise advances have been made in the prevention of perinatal transmission of HIV. However, SAM notes that great challenges still exist for those working to prevent HIV/AIDS in adolescents and young adults and to provide treatment, care and support for those who already are infected. This document updates the position of…
This is number 15 in the series, YouthLens: on reproductive health and HIV/AIDS. This issue looks at the health risks associated to early marriage for female youth; including a distinct and substantial risk of acquiring HIV/AIDS. This Issue also discusses ways in which to reduce early marriage, such as programs that help foster policies and norms that support later marriage and offer services, resources, and options to families to delay marriage…