South Africa

The HIV epidemic in South Africa is among the world's most severe and bears a female face: More than half of South Africans living with HIV are women, and 29% of pregnant women accessing public health services in 2008 tested positive for HIV. Accompanying-indeed helping drive-the HIV epidemic in South Africa is a second epidemic of sexual and domestic violence towards women. Violence and the threat of violence increase women's vulnerability to HIV infection and other negative reproductive health outcomes.

Since 1995, EngenderHealth's work in South Africa has focused most notably on transforming men's attitudes and behaviors to reduce gender-based violence and HIV prevalence. We also have worked to improve reproductive health services, including screening for and treating sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV.

 
Involving Men As Partners®
In an effort to address gender-based violence-part of a larger effort to reduce the spread of HIV-EngenderHealth launched its landmark Men As Partners® (MAP) program in South Africa in 1996. The program, which includes a series of workshops, peer-education initiatives, and media outreach, challenges men's attitudes and behaviors that compromise their own health and safety, as well as the health and safety of women and children. Project milestones include:

• The first national Men As Partners Week, held in April 2007 and co-sponsored with local partners: The week marked the launch of a media campaign with the theme "I am a partner," designed to help men understand what it means to be a true partner in relationships, families, and communities. Men As Partners Week is now held annually in South Africa.
• Tens of thousands of men having participated in MAP workshops and community activities: Evaluations prove the transformative impact of the program on men's behavior, and the positive results yielded by challenging and changing the norms of masculinity in the country.
• Selection as a finalist as for a prestigious Red Ribbon Award at the XVI International AIDS Conference:  The MAP program was recognized for its innovative contributions to reducing the spread of HIV in South Africa.  

• Implementing communications strategies to change harmful gender norms
• Helping local organizations provide male-friendly reproductive health and HIV prevention services
• Enhancing mobile voluntary counseling and testing for HIV, making these services available in underserved areas
• Advocating for sound reproductive health and HIV and AIDS policies

Recognizing the links between gender inequality and violence (and the risk of HIV infection), EngenderHealth works with the South African Police Service to change harmful behaviors through its Police As Partners Initiative. Police officers are often unsympathetic to female victims of violence-making women less likely to report cases, seek help, and leave violent relationships. EngenderHealth engages police officers countrywide through workshops, discussion groups, and other activities, challenging negative gender norms and reducing coercion and violence in communities.