Strengthening Community Platforms to Address Gender Norms

In 2014, there were 25.8 million people living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa, more than half of them women. Several studies have reported that girls’ and women’s risk of HIV infection is associated with gender inequality and violence. Harmful gender norms can lead to risky behaviors, violence, substance abuse, pursuit of multiple sexual partners, and domination of women. These norms affect not only men and women but also families and communities.

This technical brief describes the elements of programmatic approaches to strengthen community platforms to address gender equality and harmful gender norms. It draws examples from successful community platforms for addressing GBV and more specifically, from the SASA! program in Uganda designed by Raising Voices. This technical brief was written by JSI in 2016.