Strengthening
Prevention
Approaches
through Gender
Analysis:
Know Your
Epidemic
Relevance of Gender Analysis
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Gender analysis is central to understanding
HIV/AIDS
transmission
and
initiating
appropriate programmes of action
Stereotypical gender roles and relations and
gender inequality lead to vulnerability and risk
generating behavior
Stereotypical Gender Roles and
Relations
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At-risk groups:
MSM: Sexual practice counter to gendered
expectations of masculine sexuality as
heterosexual
Sex workers and in particular female sex
workers: Sexual practice counter to
expectations of femininity- monogamy,
romantic love, sexual conservatism and
chastity
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Stigma and discrimination experienced by
those who live counter dominant culture
reinforced in law, in popular culture
Stigma is one cause of HIV vulnerability
HIV vulnerability: Limited ability to self-protect,
double lives, sexual exploitation, limited access
to protective and preventative services

Gender norms and expectations shape the
sexual behaviour of women and men in
heterosexual relationships as well
Gender relations

Heterosexual masculinity associated with
sexual freedom, sexual adventure, sexual
pleasure, rejection of homosexuality
–
Behaviours driven by this dominant view of
masculinity
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Early sexual initiation
Multiple partnerships
Risk taking
Reluctant condom use
Gender Relations/Inequality and
Femininity

Femininity associated variously with sexual
submissiveness, sexual availability,
expectations of fidelity, fertility, expectations of
the male bread winner model
–
Implications: limits on capacity/inclination to
demand safe sex
Gender Inequality: Vulnerability to genderbased violence in the private and public
sphere; economic dependency
These features of Caribbean gendered
identities are important dimensions which have
to taken into account in devising prevention
strategies.
They can also undermine to some extent the
viability of the ABC strategy
Multi-sectoral, gender-responsive
programming

Child protection: Legislation and enforcement;
mandatory reporting; response protocols;
education for cultural change to address
impunity

Violence against women and girls: Effective
legal provisions and administration of justice;
adequately resourced social services including
shelters; social communications for zero
tolerance
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Social protection: Support to most vulnerable
households- single parent households to
advance economic security
Human rights: Removal of discriminatory laws
and practices; advancement of antidiscriminatory legisaltion; enforcemenmt of
protective legislation; access to sexual and
reproductive rights

Social Communications: Challenging Popular
Culture
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Developing an ethical, values-based ABCD
Autonomy
Be Respectful
Care
Dignity
Esteem -self