Gender Issues and HIV/AIDS

(Capacity Building Course)

1. Introduction

Gender plays a significant role in the transmission, impact, and response to HIV/AIDS. Women, girls, and key populations often face disproportionate vulnerability due to social, economic, cultural, and legal inequalities. This training focuses on understanding how gender norms, roles, and inequalities influence HIV risk and access to prevention, care, and treatment services.

The course equips stakeholders with the knowledge and tools to integrate gender-sensitive and transformative approaches into HIV/AIDS programs, policies, and interventions.

 

2. Objectives

By the end of the course, participants will:

• Understand the link between gender inequality and the spread of HIV/AIDS
• Identify the gender-specific vulnerabilities to HIV infection
• Address the impact of HIV/AIDS on different genders, especially women and girls
• Promote gender-responsive approaches in prevention, treatment, care, and support services
• Advocate for policies and programs that reduce gender-based stigma, discrimination, and violence
• Strengthen institutional and community-level capacity to respond to gender-related HIV challenges

 

3. Targeted Group

This course is ideal for:

• Health professionals and HIV program staff
• Gender and women’s rights advocates
• Social workers and counsellors
• Community-based organizations and NGOs
• Policy makers and government staff (health, gender, justice sectors)
• Educators and peer educators
• Law enforcement and legal aid workers
• Researchers and students in public health, gender studies, and social sciences

 

4. Course Duration

• Total Duration: 4 weeks (64 contact hours)
• Schedule: 4 sessions per week × 4 hours each
• Mode: In-person / Virtual / Hybrid
• Methodology: Participatory learning, group discussions, real-life case studies, storytelling, role plays, guest speakers (PLHIV, women leaders), and project-based work

 

5. Course Content

Module 1: Introduction to HIV/AIDS and Gender Dynamics

• Overview of HIV/AIDS epidemic and gender implications
• Gender vs. sex: definitions and importance

Module 2: Biological, Social, and Economic Vulnerabilities

• Gender-specific biological risks
• Power imbalances and economic dependency

Module 3: Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and HIV

• Intimate partner violence, sexual abuse
• Legal and health responses

Module 4: Women, Girls, and HIV/AIDS

• Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW)
• Female-focused prevention and care strategies

Module 5: Men, Masculinity, and HIV Risk

• Cultural expectations and risky behaviors
• Male engagement in prevention and care

Module 6: Key Populations and Gender Identity

• LGBTQ+, sex workers, transgender people
• Stigma, rights, and access to services

Module 7: Gender, Stigma, and Discrimination

• Gender-related HIV stigma in communities and workplaces
• Intersectional discrimination

Module 8: Access to Health Services and Gender Barriers

• Gender-sensitive health systems
• Barriers to ART and reproductive health

Module 9: Gender-Transformative HIV Programming

• Moving beyond "gender-sensitive" to "gender-transformative"
• Best practices from around the world

Module 10: The Role of Culture, Religion, and Tradition

• Harmful vs. helpful traditional norms
• Engaging religious and traditional leaders

Module 11: Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR)

• Integration of SRHR and HIV services
• Youth-friendly and inclusive services

Module 12: Gender and HIV in Humanitarian Settings

• Displacement, conflict, and risk
• Protection and continuity of care

Module 13: Gender and HIV in the Workplace

• Gender-sensitive workplace policies
• Empowerment and inclusion of women living with HIV

Module 14: Policy, Law, and Gender Justice

• Legal rights and protections
• Gender-responsive national HIV strategies

Module 15: Community Engagement and Gender Advocacy

• Building gender equity through grassroots work
• Male allies and feminist leadership

Module 16: Capstone Workshop – Developing a Gender-Responsive HIV Intervention

• Team project: design an HIV program that addresses gender disparities
• Presentations and peer feedback

 

6. Expected Outcomes

Participants will be able to:

• Analyze and address gender-based vulnerabilities in HIV/AIDS
• Develop and implement gender-sensitive interventions and policies
• Advocate for inclusive, equitable HIV services
• Recognize and challenge gender stereotypes and harmful norms
• Promote meaningful involvement of women and key populations in HIV responses
• Integrate gender and HIV considerations into existing programs

 

7. Certification

Certificate of Completion

Awarded to participants who:

• Attend at least 85% of sessions
• Participate in discussions and assignments

Certificate of Competence in Gender and HIV/AIDS Response

Awarded upon:

• Successful completion and presentation of the capstone project
• Passing a final reflection or written assessment (optional)
• Demonstrated application of concepts in a practical setting

Certificates may be endorsed by ministries (Health, Gender), national HIV/AIDS commissions, UN agencies (e.g., UN Women, UNAIDS), or academic institutions.