Addressing Gender Dynamics and Engaging Men in HIV Programs: Lessons Learned from Horizons Research

Abstract

In the field of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention, there has been increasing interest in the role that gender plays in HIV and violence risk, and in successfully engaging men in the response. This article highlights findings from more than 10 studies in Asia, Africa, and Latin America--conducted from 1997 through 2007 as part of the Horizons program--that have contributed to understanding the relationship between gender and men's behaviors, developing useful measurement tools for gender norms, and designing and evaluating the impact of gender-focused program strategies. Studies showed significant associations between support for inequitable norms and risk, such as more partner violence and less condom use. Programmatic lessons learned ranged from insights into appropriate media messages, to strategies to engage men in critically reflecting upon gender inequality, to the qualities of successful program facilitators. The portfolio of work reveals the potential and importance of directly addressing gender dynamics in HIV- and violence-prevention programs for both men and women.

Situación epidemiológica actual del VIH/SIDA en Latinoamérica en la primera década del siglo XXI: Análisis de las diferencias entre países

“…Otras razones podrían ser la violencia de género mediante el abuso sexual, el menor acceso a la información que tienen las mujeres y la necesidad de mejora de sus habilidades para la negociación del sexo protegido que exponen al riesgo de infección a las mujeres. Precisamente, existen estudios muy actuales en los que se ha abordado la influencia de las dinámicas de poder y los roles de género en la pareja sobre el riesgo de infección de VIH [21][22][23] . Por tanto, se precisa el desarrollo de investigaciones y la implantación de programas de prevención del VIH y enfermedades de transmisión sexual en estos países que tengan en cuenta estos factores y se focalicen en esta población.…”

Let’s talk about sex: gender norms and sexual health in English schools

“…6,7 Qualitative research suggests that pervasive norms about how males and females are supposed to behave can affect sexual risk behaviours; for example, young women may be unwilling to carry condoms or request their use because of the implication that they are sexually promiscuous.…”

“…[3][4][5][6][7][8] Gendered power imbalances in sexual relationships may constrain young women's ability to negotiate safe and pleasurable sex. A US cross-sectional study showed that women with high levels of power in their intimate relationships were five-fold as likely as women with low levels to report consistent condom use, after controlling for sociodemographic and psychosocial variables.…”

“…3 Furthermore, findings from 10 studies in Latin America, Asia and Africa found significant associations between support for inequitable gender norms and increased risk of partner violence and unprotected sex. 6,7 Qualitative research suggests that pervasive norms about how males and females are supposed to behave can affect sexual risk behaviours; for example, young women may be unwilling to carry condoms or request their use because of the implication that they are sexually promiscuous. 10 Young women may feel pressure to engage in early and unprotected sex because of an expectation that they seek male commitment to relationships.…”

“…[3][4][5][6][7][8]19 The evidence reviewed above suggests such programs could achieve reductions of approximately one-third in outcomes such as sexual violence and unprotected sex. From the education perspective, initiatives addressing young people's sexual health and wellbeing, even if they are evidence-based, may simply be window dressing until broader education policy becomes less grimly 1950s in orientation and starts again to harness schools' potential in developing socially aware and healthy citizens.…”