Purpose

This document provides guidelines to volunteers on the following issues: what is gender; gender and HIV; gender and HIV prevention; gender and HIV treatment; and the role of gender in care and support.

Overview

The purpose of session one is to ensure that community based volunteers (CBVs) are able to define gender and understand the role that gender plays in the lives of men, women, girls and boys in their community.

Session two seeks to understand how gender and HIV are related and explore how gender inequalities, gender-based violence (GBV) and sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) are linked to HIV.

Session three explores the ways in which gender influences the vulnerability of women, men, girls and boys to HIV infection/re-infection and the role of CBVs in providing information and support.

Session four builds knowledge and skills to understand how gender influences the ability of people to access, prepare for and adhere to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and the role of CBVs in providing gender-responsive support.

The purpose of session five is to provide participants with the knowledge and skills to understand how gender influences the ability of CBVs to provide care for others and to care for themselves.

Usage: Guidance for project implementation, Training

Audiences: Volunteers; Gender and diversity practitioners