PREPARING FOR A GENDER ASSESSMENT OF THE NATIONAL HIV RESPONSE

IN EGYPT

AUGUST 2014

BACKGROUND: THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE GENDER ASSESMENT

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Agenda to Respond to HIV is developed

•UNAIDS Agenda for country action for women girls, gender quality and HIV develops a strategic set of actions to better respond to the needs of women and girls with HIV was launched during National AIDS Conference 2010

2012 – Systematic review

•The Systematic review revealed a more efficient and standardized approach to data collection was required

•The tool ensures that evidence based decisions can be confidently madeGender

Assessment Tool

WHAT IS THE GENDER ASSESSMENT?

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WHY A GENDER ASSESMENT IN EGYPT?

The UNAIDS Strategy (‘Getting to Zero’) commits to

advancing gender equality for an effective HIV response,

calling for gender-transformative HIV responses that put

gender equality, equity and human rights at its centre.

The gender assessment in Egypt will connect to the

strategic opportunity of the national programme

assessment and development of a new strategic plan for

HIV before the end of 2014.

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Some of the prevention initiates under the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) include HIV awareness projects specifically for women and girls. (1)

The UN Joint Team on AIDS (UNJT) supports an outreach program for FSWs in Cairo through its local NGO implementing partner Al Shehab. It provides outreach, prevention and alternate career services to FSWs. (2)

UNHCR provides support to local medical NGO partner Refugee Egypt which offers age and gender-sensitive primary health care services and HIV/AIDS awareness-raising activities to refugees and other population groups in Alexandria and Cairo. (2)

STRATEGIC INFORMATION ON HIV AND GENDER IN EGYPT: ACHIEVEMENTS

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STRATEGIC INFORMATION ON HIV AND GENDER IN EGYPT: ACHIEVEMENTS

• The Network of women living with HIV (MENAROSA) has held support groups for WLHIV. (2)

• The project “Leadership Development Program for WLHIV in Egypt” includes micro credit loans, training in leadership and project management skills, and helps WLHIV establish their own viable business ventures. (2)

• Projects led by civil society organizations include psycho-social support groups for key populations (MSM, PWID and FSWs). (2)

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The HIV epidemic is concentrated in certain key populations, including people who inject drugs (7.7% in Cairo and 6.7% in Alexandria), MSM (5.4% in Cairo and 6.9% in Alexandria) and FSW (0.5%). (2, 3)

The number of new HIV infections is increasing. In 2013 the number of confirmed HIV cases almost doubled from the previous year. (2)

• The percentage of young people who correctly identify ways to prevent the sexual transmission of HIV and who reject major misconceptions about HIV transmission was 3.1% among females and 16.0% among males in the 15-19 age group; and 6.4% among females and 21.2% among males in the 20-24 age group. (2)

STRATEGIC INFORMATION ON HIV AND GENDER IN EGYPT: STATUS AT A GLANCE

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STRATEGIC INFORMATION ON HIV AND GENDER IN EGYPT

• Only 10% of sex workers reported the use of a condom with their most recent client. (4)

• Only 15% of HIV-positive pregnant women received antiretrovirals to reduce the risk of mother-to-child transmission. (2)

Lack of sex- and age- disaggregated data on PWID and HIV.

Lack of reporting and data on the linkages between GBV and HIV.

• Even though studies point out women’s vulnerability to HIV, a comprehensive understanding of the issues and their complexity has not yet developed. (5)

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THE GENDER ASSESSMENT TEAM

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THE STANDARDIZED GENDER ASSESMENT TOOL (II)

Supports countries to position gender equality and violence in

the “strategic investment” discussion.

The Tool was developed by UNAIDS Secretariat, in close

collaboration with Cosponsors, government, civil society, and

development partners.

Builds on the experience of piloting the Tool in 5 countries.

It applies a modular approach, building on already available

information, to allow flexibility as per local context.

And uses questions to identify remaining gaps in information.

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GENDER ASSESSMENT TOOL FOR NATIONAL HIV RESPONSES - Overview

STAGE 1: Preparing for the Gender

Assessment of the national HIV

response

STAGE 2: Knowing the national HIV epidemic and context

STAGE 3: Knowing the national HIV response

STAGE 4: Analyzing and

using the findings of the assessment

for a gender transformative HIV

response

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STAGE 1: PREPARING FOR THE GENDER ASSESMENT

Secure high level commitment Establish a country assessment team Develop a gender assessment framework: how will you move

forward? What are the guiding principles? Are roles and responsibilities clear?

Collect and compile relevant data and documents

and… Read the Gender Assessment Tool: it is very important that all

workshop participants read and understand what the tool is about. Technical and political understanding of tool is essential for the UNAIDS Team at country level. It will help facilitate the flow of the workshop.

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STAGE 2:KNOWING THE NATIONAL HIV EPIDEMIC AND CONTEXT

Is data available and accessible on:

HIV and AIDS prevalence and incidenceSocial, cultural and economic factorsPolitical and macro economic factors

Is this data readily available for the gender assessment workshop? Are there any key gaps and ways to supplement these?

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STAGE 3:KNOWING THE NATIONAL HIV RESPONSE

It is key to also assess:Meaningful participationThe overall HIV responseCoordination of gender equality within the HIV responsePreventionTreatment Care and SupportGender equality in programmes, projects and policiesWomen and girls, key populations, masculinities, gender-based violenceExpenditure tracking

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STAGE 4:ANALYSING AND USING THE FINDINGS OF THE GENDER ASSESMENT

• Identify the gaps• Identify the objectives• Undertake a process of prioritization• Identify opportunities• Identify corresponding interventions

Be sure to also develop a communication plan to disseminate the findings of the gender assessment of the national HIV response.

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PROCESS OF THE GENDER ASSESSMENT

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August 20-23 August 20-23

August 24- September 2August 24- September 2

August 24– September 7August 24– September 7

September 15- 16إSeptember 15- 16إ

September 8– 14 September 8– 14

THE WORKSHOP

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Upon completion of the Gender assessment All relevant stakeholders will be involved in a 2 day workshop

WORKSHOP

• Address issues and gaps identified by the Gender assessment

• Inform the move towards gender-transormative HIV response in the country.

• To be incorporated into the National Strategic Plan for HIV

ROLES OF CONSULTANTS AND GENDER ASSESSMNET TEAM

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Activities Leading organisation Date

Establish a Gender Assessment Team RCT, Un Women, UNAIDS 15-Jun

Revision of TOR for the consultant Gender Assessment Team 15th -19th June

Recruitment of consultant RCT, Un Women, UNAIDS 2 weeks (June-July)

Introduction Webinar for the national consultant and the gender assessment team (2 hours) International consultant 20 August

Data collection from exsiting literature UNAIDS 24 - 28 AugustDevelopment of the guidelines for key informant interviews

National consultants and the Gender Assessment Team 20-26 August

key informants interviews National consultants and the Gender Assessment Team 27 August- 2 September

Analysis of the qualitative data National consultants and the Gender Assessment Team 27 August -8 September

Conducting the desk review International consultant 28 August -7 SeptemberA meeting with Dinys for best practice and preparation for the workshop (roles for the Gender Assessment Team)

Consultants and the Gender Assessment Team 8 September

Preparation for presentations and group work Consultants and the Gender Assessment Team 8-14 September

A meeting with Dinys in Cairo Consultants and the Gender Assessment Team 14 September

Stakeholder validation workshop (2 or 3 days) Consultants and the Gender Assessment Team 15-17 or 15-16 September

A follow-up meeting with Dinys Consultants and the Gender Assessment Team 17 or 18 September

Final report , Advocacy brief ( 3 days) International and national consultant 18-21 September

Social media promotion RCT, Un Women, UNAIDS 1 - 20 September

Thank youThank you

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