Implementing Multiple Gender Strategies to Improve HIV and ... - ICRW

FAMILY AND COMMUNITY STRENGTHENING PROGRAM (FCS)
LEAD ORGANIZATIONS:
COUNTRY:
HIV PROGRAM AREA:
Bega kwa Bega (BKB)
Uganda
Prevention, Care and Support
OVERVIEW:
The FCS program works with HIV-affected communities, providing a package of activities that it
tailors based on community needs. Services and activities include basic health services, HIV
counseling, HIV testing facilitation, home visits, income-generating activities, property and inheritance
protection, water access assistance, and education scholarships. The program also addresses
gender-based violence and harmful male norms and behaviors throughout various program activities,
for instance through couples conflict trainings, health services for women victims of violence, and
involvement of men in workshops to influence positive behavior change around reproductive health,
violence, HIV prevention, and other health issues. Program activities have directly benefited more
than 4,000 orphans, schoolchildren, their families, caregivers, and neighbors. Also, more women are
seeking health services, and income-generating activities have given women more power and respect
in the family. Sustainability is high because the multisectoral approach provides a variety of services,
meeting a large range of family and community needs.
BACKGROUND
HIV & AIDS
Program Goals
The mission of BKB is to work together with communities affected by HIV
and AIDS to improve the living conditions of orphans, vulnerable children
and the women who care for them. The FCS program tailors a package of
intervention activities based on community needs, including basic health
services, HIV counseling, HIV testing facilitation, home visits, income
generation, property inheritance protection, water access assistance, and
education scholarships.
Gender Strategies
Addressed
Reducing violence and coercion
Addressing male norms and behaviors
Increasing women’s legal protection
Increasing women’s access to income and productive resources
Other: gender equity
Description of
Intervention
Based on a needs assessment in each new community, program staff tailor
a package of intervention activities to accommodate community resources
and needs. These activities include:
• Mobile health clinic: A health clinic conducts two visits per week to
provide rural communities that have little or no access to health care
with health services (examinations, diagnosis, treatment for basic
illnesses, HIV testing) and health education through community
workshops. Bringing health services directly to the community
increases gender equity in health, especially in the delivery of HIV
services, as women are often least mobile and benefit most from locally
available services.
• Home visits: Staff assist people living with HIV and other critically
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