World AIDS Day: Tackling the Dual Epidemics of HIV and Gender-Based Violence
As the global community observes 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) November 25th – December 10th and commemorates World AIDS Day on December 1st, Project HOPE calls for urgent action to address the intersection of GBV and HIV, two crises that disproportionately impact women and adolescent girls. This year’s UNAIDS theme, “Take the Rights Path,” highlights the critical need to uphold human rights, tackle inequities, and eliminate barriers to HIV prevention and care, including the pervasive issue of violence.
GBV remains one of the most significant yet under-addressed barriers to ending the HIV epidemic. Women and girls who experience violence are 50% more likely to acquire HIV and in some regions, five times less likely to consistently take their antiretroviral therapy. Beyond this, fear of violence prevents many from accessing essential HIV testing and treatment services. This crisis is particularly acute in Eastern and Southern Africa, where HIV remains a leading cause of death among adolescent girls, highlighting the urgent need to protect and support young women.
To meet the UNAIDS target of ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030, Project HOPE is calling on governments, donors, and development partners to:
- Allocate dedicated funding to combined GBV-HIV interventions, develop comprehensive health care frameworks, and establish clear protocols for screening and referral systems that address issues simultaneously.
- Create comprehensive support through education, health care services, economic opportunities, and safe spaces to ensure the communities most vulnerable to HIV and GBV have the resources needed to build sustainable futures.
- Prioritize partnerships with local leaders and civil society organizations to challenge harmful gender norms, implement awareness campaigns, and develop community-owned solutions that create lasting social change.
Dr. Uche Ralph-Opara, Project HOPE’s Chief Health Officer, said:
“The intersection of GBV and HIV represents a critical public health challenge that demands immediate attention. We cannot achieve an HIV-free generation without addressing the structural and societal drivers of violence that disproportionately affect women and girls. In Ethiopia, our integrated approach has led to the identification of nearly 17,000 GBV cases in Project HOPE-supported districts in the past year. Over one-third of these cases received referrals to health facilities, while others accessed essential support through community service points. By integrating GBV prevention and response into HIV programming, we can save lives, empower survivors, and make significant strides toward ending the epidemic.”
Since 1992, Project HOPE has led comprehensive HIV/AIDS programs globally, beginning in Malawi and emphasizing the integration of gender-based violence (GBV) prevention into HIV services. Our initiatives encompass comprehensive programs for adolescent girls and young women, including safe spaces for survivors, economic empowerment through vocational training and micro-financing, and community-led GBV prevention efforts. This integrated approach, which combines HIV services with GBV interventions, has demonstrated measurable improvements in HIV testing and treatment uptake. Additionally, it addresses the root causes of vulnerability through holistic support, offering health services, psychosocial counseling, legal resources, and programs to build financial independence.
Project HOPE has team members available for interviews. For media inquiries, contact media@projecthope.org.
