Mitzy Gafos

The session focused on interventions to address violence against women. This included evidence from a systematic review of interventions, the integration of violence reduction in HIV prevention services, gender empowerment training for women, and programmatic experiences.

The MAIHSA gender empowerment intervention in Tanzania showed a 36% reduction in physical IPV and shifts in social norms on the acceptability of IPV. EMPOWER aimed to reduce the impact of IPV on HIV testing, PrEP initiation and adherence. >30% AGYW reported violence in their life-time and integrating GBV interventions into HIV prevention programmes was acceptable and feasible. Two other interventions, one in Papua New Guinea among key populations and one in Kyrgyzstan among women who use drugs, evaluated the integration of GBV screening in HIV prevention services and showed high acceptability and improved uptake of services. A programme in Kenya offered group therapy for GBV, finding it challenged norms about GBV and the stigma of talking about violence, and that there was high uptake of counselling for physical violence. Systematic literature review showed limited evidence impact of GBV interventions.

Great set of presentations building on a growing body of evidence supporting the impact of GBV interventions and the need for these interventions to be integrated into HIV prevention and treatment programmes. Presenters highlighted that valid screening GBV tools are available and can be integrated relatively easily with correct training. The systematic literature review highlighted the lack of community involvement, especially key population groups, in the design of GBV interventions and the need for papers to report on involvement processes.