Working to Advance
Health Equity in Africa

Gender equality assessment of provincial HIV, STIs and TB strategic and operational plans in South Africa – A review

The review was undertaken, between 2013-2104, as technical support to UNAIDS South Africa, for the Department of Social Development, assessing the integration of women and girls in the South African Provincial Strategic Plans (PSPs) and Operational Plans (POPs). We reviewed all provinces against the HEARD/ATHENA Framework and the UNAIDS Gender Assessment Tool, the report reflects the findings and recommendations. It was launched by the Department for Social Development on 17 March 2015.

The assessment shows that provincial HIV, STIs and TB plans within South Africa generally provide comprehensive responses that prioritise women, girls and gender equality and include specific interventions to address their vulnerability in the context of HIV. All plans have areas of strength and weakness; however, they all include a substantive focus on women, girls and gender equality and include interventions within the priority areas identified as fundamental to a successful rights-based and gender equitable HIV response. The key output related to this review is a final report titled Gender Equality Assessment of Provincial HIV, STIs and TB, Strategic and Operational Plans in South Africa.

Objectives:

• Review the HEARD and ATHENA Framework and UNAIDS Gender Assessment Tool for national HIV responses to seek commonalities in approach towards assessing the integration of gender into HIV plans.
• Develop a checklist, based on the Framework and the Gender Assessment Tool, for assessing provincial strategic and operational plans on HIV, STIs and TB.
• Apply the checklist to a desktop review of 9 provincial strategic and operational plans on HIV, STIs and TB in South Africa, with particular attention to the following key areas:

1. An Enabling Environment that Advances Human Rights and Access to Justice for Women, Girls and Gender Equality
2. The Meaningful Involvement of and Leadership by Women Living with and Affected by HIV
3. Utilising a Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Approach
4. Preventing HIV Transmission Among Women and Girls
5. Eliminating Gender-Based Violence and Discrimination
6. Increasing Access to and Uptake of Treatment for Women and Girls
7. Strengthening Care and Support by and for Women and Girls, and
8. Accountability: Budgeting, Monitoring, Research and Gender Expertise.

• Write a report identifying the extent to which provincial strategic and operational plans on HIV, STIs and TB in South Africa integrate women, girls and gender equality in the response, identifying gaps, challenges and recommendations for strengthened national responses.