FOUND 627
These reports illustrate how two of South Africa's epidemics - violence against women, and HIV/AIDS - may be converging in new and lethal ways. This report documents findings regarding violence and HIV/AIDS and argues that, to date, rape-related concerns have driven policy and legislative responses to a far greater degree than concerns about other forms of violence against women. The authors conclude that until more research and information…
One critical achievement of the UNGASS was the inclusion of some language within the Declaration promoting the health and rights of women and girls in the context of HIV/AIDS. The paper argues that although the Declaration fails to explicitly address the broader concept of reproductive rights or the need for governments to provide comprehensive reproductive health care services, the Declaration makes clear the inextricable link between gender…
This report describes research conducted on issues of HIV/AIDS-related discrimination, stigmatization, and denial in central and western Uganda in 1997-98. The report describes the aims, methods, and findings of the research, with a particular emphasis on the forms and determinants of DSD and the responses to it. The research moves beyond previous research on DSD and in contrast, aims to offer an account of how DSD operates, and what causes…
This publication contributes to understanding how the world's foremost blueprint for women's human rights can be put to work to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic from a gender perspective. The publication discusses different aspects of the pandemic for which CEDAW has special relevance, such as gender-based violence and sexual exploitation, access to health services, gender inequality and safer sex, and issues of care and care-giving. The book also…
This brief brochure outlines why HIV/AIDS is a gender issue, and that although HIV is taking its toll on everyone, women are impacted more. It indicates some key steps that can be taken to address this. It provides positive examples of how women are responding to the epidemic.
A microbicide, a product used vaginally to prevent infection, would offer the potential for women to protect themselves and their sexual partners from HIV and other STIs. This document presents the case for microbicides by discussing recent progress and developments, and notes outstanding challenges and the action required to accelerate research and development and to ensure that products will be made available to those who most need them.
This document is a product of the meeting on power in sexual relationships, convened in Washington, DC, l-2 March 2001, and was a joint effort of the Population Council's New York and DC offices and the USAID Interagency Gender Working Group's Men and Reproductive Health Sub-committee. Eight previously conducted field-based interventions have provided valuable information and an overwhelming message highlighted in the dialogue: - many men and…
Individuals interested in youth development are considering programs that integrate attention to reproductive and sexual health with a focus on livelihood options, which aim to improve young people's capabilities, assets, and activities necessary for earning a living. Given the critical gap in assessment of the few such linked programs, ICRW undertook an 18-month analysis of these programs in India, Colombia, and Kenya. The goals of this…
This paper presents an overview of information on socio-economic and gender inequalities in the knowledge of HIV/AIDS prevention. The information, based on an analysis of household data collected by the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) program, concerning poor-rich coverage and gender differences for twenty-three countries, focuses primarily in Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. The findings suggest that knowledge of HIV/…
This report describes a research project conducted in India which emphasizes forms and determinants of HIV/AIDS-related discrimination, stigmatization, and denial. It offers an account of how DSD operates, and what causes it, in a range of contexts in two contrasting regions. The report provides a discussion of the gendered nature of HIV-related discrimination, and finds that there was clear evidence that the HIV/AIDS-related discrimination…
This Handbook is a tool for extending the reach of effective responses to HIV/AIDS where they are needed most. There are over 40 million PLHA in the world today, and 95 percent live in resource-constrained countries. Until and unless the impact of AIDS is reduced, these countries face little prospect of building a more secure and prosperous future. The Handbook emphasizes crosscutting issues such as gender, human rights, capacity building,…
An important component of HIV voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) programs is encouraging clients to inform partners of their serostatus. Yet many clients do not disclose results to partners. Studies have found that a serious barrier to disclosure of status for women is fear of a violent reaction by male partners. Also, HIV-infected women are at an increased risk for partner violence. Building on previous research, this study explored…
From June 25-27, 2001, the United Nations held the first ever General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) to address the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The Special Session addressed the pandemic not only as a global public health issue, but also as a looming development and security crisis requiring a multi-sector, multi-front strategy. This Declaration of Commitment, adopted by the General Assembly during the UNGASS on HIV/AIDS, outlines the United…
An intervention that addresses mother-to-child transmission of HIV is complex, yet it is one of the few biomedical interventions currently available for reducing the transmission of HIV that is feasible and affordable in resource-constrained settings. This article highlights selected findings from research in Botswana and Zambia and provides guidelines for ensuring community involvement in programs.
At its 45th session held in 2001, the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women focused on the thematic issue of women, the girl child and human immuno-deficiency virus/acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS). This report includes the Agreed Conclusions of the Commission on this thematic issue. Additional documents relating to the Commission's 45th Session regarding women, the girl child, and HIV/AIDS can be accessed on-line…
The objective of this code is to provide a set of guidelines to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the world of work and within the framework of the promotion of decent work. The guidelines cover the following key areas of action: (a) prevention of HIV/AIDS; (b) management and mitigation of the impact of HIV/AIDS on the world of work; (c) care and support of workers infected and affected by HIV/AIDS; and (d) elimination of stigma and…
Human security presumes freedom from want and from fear, as well as access to and control of resources and opportunities. The basic elements of human security include survival, safety, opportunity, dignity, agency and autonomy. These preconditions for human security are essential in reducing vulnerability to HIV infection and its impact. However, gender differences and inequalities affect the extent to which men and women, boys and girls…
HIV/AIDS requires a gender-specific response. This manual has been prepared in response to this need and aims to help trainers enhance their understanding about the gender dimensions of HIV/AIDS. This manual shows that neither AIDS nor gender disparities are unbeatable. It draws on more than a decade’s experience from the field, building on the lessons learned and analysing and synthesising them within the conceptual framework of gender and…
Promundo's Program H stimulates young men to analyze traditional gender roles and norms associated with masculinity, challenging them to consider the advantages of gender equitable behaviors. The program consists of educational workshops, lifestyle campaigns, innovative approaches to attracting young men to health facilities, and a culturally sensitive impact evaluation methodology. The workshops draw on 5 training manuals which aim to support…
The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, in partnership with UNAIDS and other co-sponsors, organized the African Development Forum, which took place at the United Nations Conference Centre in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 3 to 7 December 2000. The Forum's purpose was to address and heighten awareness of crucial aspects in the fight against HIV/AIDS, such as political will and leadership, adequate resources and multisectoral…