Addressing women’s and men’s gender-specific needs in HIV service delivery: Learnings from Project SOAR

It is clear that to achieve UNAIDS’ 90-90-90 goals for controlling the epidemic, whereby 90 percent of people living with HIV (PLHIV)—both women and men—know their status, 90 percent of PLHIV are on antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 90 percent of those on ART achieve viral suppression—HIV programs and services must take into account the gender-specific needs and circumstances of adults and youth.

Project SOAR recognizes the key role that gender norms and power dynamics play in HIV service delivery, and whether or not individuals can access services and practice protective behaviors. We are using a variety of approaches to integrate gender into our implementation science research, producing findings that pave the way for effective engagement of women and men, girls and boys in HIV prevention and care, and for more gender-equitable relationships and societies.