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

PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS
TARGETING AND INVOLVING MEN IN HIV PREVENTION ACTIVITIES
LEAD ORGANIZATIONS:
COUNTRY:
HIV PROGRAM AREA:
Pathfinder International (PI)
Botswana Council of Churches
Humana People to People
True Men
Botswana
Prevention
OVERVIEW:
Targeting and Involving Men in HIV Prevention Activities has two interlinked goals: 1) to reduce risk
for sexually transmitted infections among Botswana men and their partners, and 2) to improve men’s
attitudes about and behaviors related to gender equity and HIV prevention. The project uses a malefocused
peer education curriculum covering HIV prevention and gender issues such as multiple
concurrent partnerships, drug abuse, sexual violence, and prevention of mother-to-child transmission
(PMTCT). Men from the community who wish to participate meet one-on-one with peer educators,
who are selected by local officials and community members in collaboration with the implementation
team. An initial interview with each participant helps peer educators identify and address specific
issues of concern, along with the standard curriculum. After completing the one-on-one curriculum,
clients can participate in group sessions. On average, each client meets with a peer educator twice
and attends two or more group sessions. Although most participants associate the idea of gender
with “women’s rights,” after the sessions most were comfortable discussing gender issues.
BACKGROUND
HIV & AIDS
Program Goals
Targeting and Involving Men in HIV Prevention Activities aims to reduce the
risk of sexually transmitted infections among Batswana men and their
partners and to encourage more positive, gender-equitable attitudes and
behaviors related to HIV prevention within the family and community.
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
In 2006, PI developed a peer education curriculum for men that promotes
HIV prevention while simultaneously addressing topics of gender norms,
including gender-based violence and harmful male norms and behavior.
Specifically, the curriculum addresses issues such as multiple concurrent
partnerships, alcohol/substance abuse, sexual violence, safer sex
practices, basic information about HIV and antiretroviral therapies (ART),
prevention of mother-to-child transmission, and HIV testing. The curriculum
also addresses gender equity in health services, including HIV testing and
uptake of ART. Participants first undergo an assessment to identify their
specific risks and concerns regarding gender and HIV. Sample questions
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