Advocacy in Action

As male circumcision for HIV prevention is implemented, civil society groups are playing key roles as communicators, advocates, policy advisors, and more. Below, you will find some highlights of extraordinary advocacy projects. Please email the Clearinghouse Webmaster to share work that you or your partners would like to feature.

A Report on the Consultative Meeting on Medical Male Circumcision as an HIV Prevention Strategy

Gift Trapence, an AVAC HIV prevention research advocacy fellow hosted by the Centre for the Development of People (CEDEP) in Malawi, explored perspectives on and awareness of male circumcision for HIV prevention among gay men and other men who sex with men (MSM) in Malawi. The three randomized controlled trials that confirmed male circumcision as an effective intervention for HIV prevention all focused on HIV risk via vaginal sex, yet anal sex is also a risk factor – and of particular relevance to gay men and other MSM worldwide. Ensuring that gay men and other MSM understand what current data say and do not say about the protective effects of male circumcision during anal sex is critical. In 2010, Mr. Trapence used information from focus group discussions, workshops, one-on-one engagements, and desk reviews to develop different materials to inform and engage African MSM on medical male circumcision as an HIV prevention strategy. These materials have also been used in meetings with researchers, government, and policymakers as part of advocacy to ensure inclusion of African MSM priorities in HIV prevention research and programming. The fellow was also nominated to be part of the team that developed Malawi’s new HIV/AIDS strategic plan, and he helped influence the inclusion of MSM priorities in this new plan. To read the report, click here (2011, PDF, 821 KB).

Rolling Out Medical Male Circumcision: Making it Work for Women and Promoting Gender Equality
Leader Ngooyi Kanyiki, an AVAC HIV prevention research advocacy fellow, will spend the year working to facilitate the integration of gender equality and male circumcision messaging and education, programming, and policy. The South Africa-based Sonke Gender Justice Network will host Mr. Kanyiki as he works with a variety of stakeholders--medical professionals, researchers, the media, and civil society groups, among others--to examine male circumcision for HIV prevention in South Africa. To read Mr. Kanyiki's recent article on male circumcision and gender equality, click here (2011, PDF, 166 KB).

Involving Civil Society Voices in Considering the Roll-out of Male Circumcision for HIV Prevention in Rwanda
Alliance Nikuze, an AVAC HIV prevention research advocacy fellow hosted by the Institute of Human Virology of the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM-IHV) in Rwanda, has engaged grassroots communities to discuss male circumcision for HIV prevention. One of the 10 critical elements identified by WHO/UNAIDS that will play a key role in male circumcision scale-up in the 13 priority countries (including Rwanda) is leadership and partnership-building. As part of her Advocacy Fellowship, Ms. Nikuze has held consultative meetings with civil society groups that work on issues relating to HIV/AIDS, women’s health, youth, faith-based health groups, and minority groups. Throughout 2010, she used these conversations to engage, educate, empower, solicit, and provide feedback from different stakeholders. Her advocacy also included travelling to Arusha for a WHO East Africa regional male circumcision consultation as well as many other meetings. Her work culminated in a report highlighting key questions and issues that may emerge as Rwanda moves ahead with its plans to implement male circumcision for HIV prevention. Ms. Nikuze presented this report to key stakeholders that included civil society organisations (CSOs), the Rwanda Ministry of Health, the National AIDS Control Commission (CNLS), the Treatment and Research Centre (TRAC), the Joint United Nations Programme on AIDS (UNAIDS), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Jhpiego. She organised it to allow civil society groups to share their concerns on male circumcision as an HIV prevention tool; to identify roles and responsibilities of CSOs and other partners; and to raise awareness on ongoing HIV biomedical prevention research. There was strong appreciation for civil society’s engagement in research, and this work provided an opportunity for future engagement and collaboration.

Summary (2011, PDF, 218 KB)
Full report (coming soon)

To learn more about the AVAC fellowship and fellows, click here.

Making Medical Male Circumcision Work for Women: A new report from the Women’s HIV Prevention Tracking Project (WHiPT)

The new report from AVAC and ATHENA Network’s Women’s HIV Prevention Tracking Project documents women’s perspectives on male circumcision for HIV prevention. It is based on interviews and focus group discussions with about 500 women in HIV-affected communities in Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, and Uganda. The report provides reason for the cautious rollout of medical male circumcision while offering recommendations on how to ensure that it is safe and beneficial to whole communities—including men and women. Both a summary and full report are available. More information on the WHiPT can be found on AVAC's Web site.

Full report (2010, PDF, 669 KB)
Summary (2010, PDF, 377 KB)

More information on the WHiPT can be found on AVAC’s Web site.

Resources

South Africa’s country report–Medical Male Circumcision for HIV Prevention: Are women ready? (PDF, 686 KB)