| Working Group on
Gender and HIV
Gender inequality both fuels and intensifies the impact of the HIV
epidemic and is most effectively addressed on the national and community
level… Reducing gender inequality requires changing social
norms, attitudes and behaviours through a comprehensive set of policies
and strategies.
- extract
from UNAIDS website
Introduction
The HIV and AIDS epidemic is both fuelled by and exacerbates gender
inequality. The response to this epidemic has been radically weakened
by a superficial engagement with gender issues. In order to strengthen
this response we must focus more meaningfully on the relationships
between men and women with regard to HIV and AIDS. There needs to
be more engaged analysis and exploration of systemic gender inequalities,
of how gender norms affect the impact of HIV on men and women and
makes them vulnerable in the face of the epidemic. We must also
acknowledge the diversity within gender issues and ensure that we
engage with a wide audience, including people living with HIV and
AIDS The human right to universal access to prevention, treatment,
care and support will never be realised unless these considerations
are fully addressed.
Aim of the Working
Group
This working group will deepen debate and discussion and share expertise
on issues related to gender and HIV and AIDS in order to better
influence more effective policy and practice.
Objectives
1) To share, reflect and learn from the experiences of members,
networks, people living with HIV and AIDS and external organisations
in relation to gender, including issues of equity and diversity,
and HIV and AIDS.
2) To be the critical eye ensuring that capacity
is strengthened to address gender issues within all the work of
the Consortium and its’ member organisations.
3) To influence, and lobby when necessary, the
policy and practice of external stakeholders including government
agencies and international institutions.
4) To work with organisations and networks with
compatible objectives to this end.
Role of working
group members
Members of the working group will be expected to notify the group
of opportunities as they arise, respond to such opportunities and
input into policy and programme learning on gender and HIV and AIDS.
Remit of the working
group
Where appropriate, the working group will function as an advisory
group for the Consortium to enhance gender perspectives in its work.
The working group does not aim to take on gender-specific work packages
for Consortium or its working groups, but to collaborate with them
to strengthen their gender focus.
Where appropriate, sub-groups can be formed to
respond to specific opportunities or to undertake time bound tasks.
Current Organisational
Members
The Gender Working Group was formed in March 2006 and its first
meeting took place in September 2006. Current membership includes:
Advantage Africa, African HIV Policy Network (AHPN), AMREF UK, CAFOD,
Christian Aid, The Department of Public Health and Policy at LSHTM,
HelpAge International, The Institute for International Health and
Development at Queen Margaret University College, International
Community of Women Living with HIV/AIDS (ICW), International Planned
Parenthood Federation (IPPF), Learning for Life, Interact Worldwide,
Naz Foundation, Panos Institute, Progressio, Tearfund, VSO, WOMANKIND
Worldwide
Becoming a Member
All Consortium members are welcome to join the working group. Membership
is also open, by invitation, to non-member organisations that have
experience in the thematic area, and wish to work with us, although
we would encourage them to become members if at all possible. If
you would like to become involved contact: info@aidsconsortium.org.uk
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