World AIDS Day 2023: Combating HIV and Gender-Based Violence Globally

World AIDS Day 2023: Combating HIV and Gender-Based Violence Globally

December 1, 2024 Catherine Williams Health

As the global community recognizes 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) from November 25th to December 10th and World AIDS Day on December 1st, Project HOPE urges immediate action on the intersection of GBV and HIV. These crises heavily impact women and adolescent girls. The UNAIDS theme for this year, “Take the Rights Path,” calls for the protection of human rights and the elimination of barriers to HIV prevention and care, including violence.

GBV is a major barrier to ending the HIV epidemic. Women and girls who experience violence are 50% more likely to acquire HIV and five times less likely to adhere to antiretroviral therapy in some regions. Fear of violence also inhibits access to vital HIV testing and treatment. This issue is particularly severe in Eastern and Southern Africa, where HIV is a leading cause of death among adolescent girls.

To achieve the UNAIDS target of ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030, Project HOPE asks governments, donors, and partners to:

1. Allocate funding for combined GBV-HIV interventions and create healthcare frameworks with clear screening and referral protocols.
2. Establish support systems that include education, healthcare, economic opportunities, and safe spaces for communities vulnerable to HIV and GBV.
3. Build partnerships with local leaders and civil society to challenge harmful gender norms and develop community solutions to create social change.

Dr. Uche Ralph-Opara, Project HOPE’s Chief Health Officer, emphasized the need to address GBV to combat HIV effectively. Project HOPE has identified nearly 17,000 GBV cases in Ethiopia in the past year, with more than one-third connected to health services. Integrating GBV prevention into HIV programs can save lives and empower survivors.

Since 1992, Project HOPE has run HIV/AIDS programs worldwide, starting in Malawi and focusing on integrating GBV prevention into HIV services. These programs support adolescent girls and young women by providing safe spaces, economic empowerment through training, and community-led GBV prevention efforts. This integrated approach shows measurable increases in HIV testing and treatment, while also tackling the root causes of vulnerability with comprehensive support, including health services, counseling, legal resources, and financial independence programs.

For media inquiries, contact media@projecthope.org.