HIV-AIDS Prevention IV

completed

The HIV/AIDS epidemic is causing great human suffering and immense economic damage in Central Africa. The poorer population, women and mobile population groups are particularly affected. In 2010, the HIV prevalence rates in CEMAC member countries varied from 3.5% in Congo/Brazzaville and Chad to 5.1% in Cameroon. In accordance with its HIV/AIDS strategy, the Central African Economic and Monetary Union (CEMAC) aims to slow the infection dynamics by means of cross-border prevention measures. German development cooperation has supported this strategy since 2005 as part of a cross-border social marketing project in two previous phases. In the upcoming third phase, a financing volume of EUR 30 million is planned, of which EUR 25 million is from FC funds. The aim of the project is to contain the spread of HIV in the region and to reduce the stigmatization and discrimination of HIV-positive people. The project aims to use educational and advertising measures as well as improved availability of high-quality and inexpensive condoms to help reduce the HIV infection rate, the transmission of other sexually transmitted diseases and the number of unwanted pregnancies in the CEMAC region as part of a social marketing approach, thus contributing to improving sexual and reproductive health and rights. The target group is the sexually active and, above all, poverty-stricken population, especially young people and groups with an increased risk of HIV transmission. Communication measures carefully adapted to the socio-cultural and religious environment are intended to promote preventive behavior and knowledge about infection risks, infection routes and prevention options and to help reduce stigmatization and discrimination against people affected by HIV and AIDS. The dual functionality of condoms (HIV prevention & contraception) is also intended to meet the unmet demand for family planning products. The project is intended to continue the existing regional approach in a third phase in the countries of Cameroon, Chad, CAR and the Republic of Congo. There are no plans to extend the project to the CEMAC member countries Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. The total required FC volume is EUR 25 million.