Guidelines

Adolescents are the forgotten millions in reproductive health programs. Although the numbers of young people who need information and services are enormous, services are scarce, fragmented or nonexistent.

The idea for this tool grew out of a global consultation on Integrating Gender into HIV/AIDS Programmes held on 3–5 June 2002 at WHO headquarters in Geneva. This meeting brought experts on gender and HIV/AIDS together with national AIDS programme managers to discuss how gender could be addressed more systematically within existing HIV health sector programmes. The participants recognized that for this goal to be achieved it was necessary to produce an operational tool for programme managers, and to address specific types of HIV/AIDS programmes.

Use this guideline to conduct population size estimate studies to measure and understand the populations most at risk to HIV in your country. Note that the guideline does not cover issues around behavioural and biological surveillance among these populations. Refer to the Guidelines on Surveillance on Most at Risk Populations and Second Generation Surveillance in this same series for additional information.

The magnitude of the HIV/AIDS epidemic has exceeded all expectations since the virus was first identified 20 years ago. Today, an estimated 42 million people are infected with HIV, and more than 20 million have already died. The epidemic has hit hardest in Sub-Saharan Africa. AIDS deaths in this region account for over three quarters of the global death toll. Because of its large population, Asia is the home to the largest number of people living with HIV/AIDS of any region beside Sub-Saharan Africa. In Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar adult prevalence rates range from 1.8% to 3%. It is expected that HIV may soon spread in the world's most populous countries, India and China.

The purpose of this Guidance Note is to facilitate equal, effective and synergistic partnerships between development organisations/practitioners and PLHIV networks. Ethically, it is grounded in the same human-rights principles as those of GIPA: empowerment, non-discrimination, ownership and active, meaningful participation. Functionally, its aim is to improve future interventions by groups working with PLHIV networks in other contexts. It is a practical guide, based on a wealth of experience and learning drawn from PLHIV networks and their supporting partners in several countries across the Asia-Pacific region.The purpose of this Guidance Note is to facilitate equal, effective and synergistic partnerships between development organisations/practitioners and PLHIV networks. Ethically, it is grounded in the same human-rights principles as those of GIPA: empowerment, non-discrimination, ownership and active, meaningful participation. Functionally, its aim is to improve future interventions by groups working with PLHIV networks in other contexts. It is a practical guide, based on a wealth of experience and learning drawn from PLHIV networks and their supporting partners in several countries across the Asia-Pacific region.

This list of UNAIDS’ preferred terminology has been developed for use by staff members, colleagues in the Programme’s ten cosponsoring organizations, and other partners working in the global response to HIV. Language shapes beliefs and may influence behaviours. Considered use of appropriate language has the power to strengthen the response. UNAIDS is pleased to make this list of preferred terminology freely available. It is a living, evolving document reviewed regularly. Comments and suggestions for consideration should be sent to terminology@unaids.org The boxed list (summary of preferred terminology) overleaf highlights the most important points we recommend that users follow. This list may be freely copied and reproduced provided that it is not done so for commercial gain.

In 2007, the Global Fund Secretariat contracted the TSFs for a six month period to provide technical support in the following areas:

In its 2005 report, the Global Task Team on Improving AIDS Coordination Among Multilateral Institutions and International Donors recommended that each country establish a joint UN team on AIDS. It was also recommended that they be facilitated by the UNAIDS country coordinator, developing a unified UN country support programme on AIDS within the national planning framework.

These proposed working mechanisms for the Joint UN Teams on AIDS1 have been developed to guide UN Country Teams in their establishment, per the instructions of the UN Secretary- General2. It includes information relating to the background, strategies and tools that can be used to harness the potential of the UN Country Team to support the national AIDS response. It provides options for establishing an institutional framework for Joint UN Teams on AIDS and for putting in place a joint UN HIV/AIDS Programme of Support.