Introduction: Men, boys and the

epidemic

Tim ShandMenEngage Africa Network &

Sonke Gender Justice

International AIDS Conference, 22 July 2012

• Strengthening work with men and boys for gender equality, human rights & HIV/GBV prevention across Africa. Part of global MenEngage Network.

• Key areas: capacity building; partnerships; policy and advocacy; research; leadership development

• 15 country networks within the region• Africa chair: Sonke• Core principle: allies with women’s rights

movements• www.menengage.org / www.engagingmen.net

What we know on men

Men 51% of adults LHIV: often forgotten group Low levels of HIV testing and late ART uptake Burden of HIV care on women Lack of knowledge & structures to support PMTCT Multiple concurrent partnerships MSM key vulnerable group Strong link between SGBV & HIV Men often represented negatively – need ‘fixing’  Policy context doesn’t speak to these challenges Potential/opportunities: MMC roll out

HIV

HIV HIV and Gender

Attempts to challenge or

transform gender norms

Engaging men for prevention

of GBVMen’s support

of PMTCTMale

circumcision Condoms Men’s use of VCT

Marginalized men & boys Treatment Home Based

Care

Burundi Cote D’Ivoire 2006-2010

Ethiopia 2009 – 2010/11,

Kenya 2009/10 – 2012/13

Mozambique Namibia2011 – 2016

Rwanda 2009 - 2012

Sierra Leone South Africa 2007 – 2011

Tanzania2008 – 2012

Uganda 2007/8 – 20011/12

Zambia 2011 – 2015

Zimbabwe2011 - 2014

Key Adequate Room for improvement Inadequate

Masculinities & HIV Vulnerabilities

Influence of societal norms and roles 1 in every 4 men engages in HIV risky behaviours: unsafe

sex, substance abuse, alcohol Men less likely to access health services in many countries Exposure to cycle of violence & interpersonal violence

A few times a month Almost every week Almost every day0

5

10

15

20

25

30

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Females Males

South Africa: Frequency of taking four/five drinks on one occasion, by sex

What we don’t know enough on

Men’s behaviours & vulnerabilities to HIV Men’s specific HIV needs - VCT & ART Making health system more ‘male friendly’ Shifting the global gender & HIV discourse – little

focus in new UNAIDS report on engaging men Scaling-up evidenced-based programming and

policies on engaging men in HIVIt’s not men vs women. Must talk about gender related vulnerabilities for both. And benefits to both men, women, families and communities

Thank youwww.menengage.org

• Regional support: Swedish Sida, UNFPA, Oak Foundation• MenEngage Africa partners• Sonke colleagues