Côte D’Ivoire

Since a military coup in 1999, Cote D’Ivoire has experienced political unrest, straining the country’s already fragile health system.

Women and children have been particularly affected by inadequate health and social services. Here, women are more than twice as likely to acquire HIV as men, and girls are at highest risk for HIV infection. With 63% of the Ivorian population under the age of 24, this situation is especially critical.

In addition, women and girls experience more HIV-related stigma, discrimination, social isolation, and violence compared to men. The few services that do exist are not designed to address the specific needs of women and girls.

In response, EngenderHealth’s work in Cote D’Ivoire includes:

• Challenging traditional gender norms to reduce high-risk behaviors
• Meeting the needs of HIV-positive women and girls through integrated reproductive health services
• Improving services to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV

 
Challenging Traditional Gender Norms
Addressing gender norms is essential to improving health conditions for both men and women. Through EngenderHealth’s Men As Partners® program, traditional gender attitudes and roles are confronted. Men are encouraged to take an active role in their own health, as well as that of their partners, and to take responsibility in preventing HIV and gender-based violence.

Meeting the Needs of HIV-Positive Women and Girls
Society tends to presume that women living with HIV should not have sex or bear children, and as a result it is often difficult for them to access family planning information and services. EngenderHealth’s strategies to address the needs of women and girls living with HIV include: integrating HIV and family planning services to improve their access, and reducing stigma and discrimination among health care workers and community members.

Improving Services to Prevent Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV
There are many factors that hinder prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, including limited awareness and knowledge of HIV, social and emotional barriers that keep women from accessing care, and poor systems to connect women living with HIV to support and services.

In Cote D’Ivoire, EngenderHealth assists local partners to create teams of peer educators who:

• Assess the circumstances of women living with HIV in their communities and provide relevant information to address their psychosocial, nutritional, and emotional needs
• Provide referrals to appropriate health facilities so that women can receive care and treatment, often accompanying them on visits to these facilities
• Facilitate support groups for HIV-positive women and mothers so they can benefit from each other experiences with issues such as breast feeding and treatment adherence