Evidence has shown that gender differences play a role in who is infected and affected by the three epidemics and that women and girls continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV, TB and Malaria (HTM).
In sub-Saharan Africa gender inequality fuels the HIV epidemic and intensifies its impact. A worrying fact is that Adolescent Girls and Young Women (aged 15 to 24 years) are three times more likely to acquire HIV than adolescent boys and young men of the same age group and AIDS related causes are a leading cause of death among adolescent girls and women aged 15-49 years[1].
With regards to TB, due to the co-epidemic of HIV and TB and because rates of HIV are higher in women than in men in this region, more TB cases among women have been reported recently (especially in those aged 15–24)[2].
In the case of Malaria vulnerability to malaria and access to treatment is often different for women and men, and is influenced by gender roles and issues. Women – in particular pregnant women – are at the greatest risk of contracting and dying of malaria in both high- and low-malaria endemic areas. Inequitable access to health care both intensifies a woman’s vulnerability to malaria and affects her ability to access prevention and treatment services appropriately.
Global Fund reports have flagged that Gender mainstreaming in HTM programs has not been optimal and is not improving over time. Specifically the 2020-2022 Global Fund Technical Review Panel (TRP) Observations Report noted that funding ‘’’requests were weakest at addressing gender equality and human rights, with only 55% addressing gender-related barriers to services and 62% focusing on human rights’’. This session will therefore create a platform for ESA/WCA constituencies to exchange views on gender mainstreaming in HTM programs.
[1] Global AIDS report 2021
[2] Global Fund Gender equality strategy