Resources

IPPF South Asia implemented an advocacy initiative to promote the integration of sexual reproductive health (SRH) and HIV in Global Fund Mechanism and country health system in eight South Asian Countries. The eight Member Associations were able to reach approximately 150 CSOs in eight countries over the period of four years. MAs also engaged with a diverse group of stakeholders which include Government, Media, Youth, vulnerable key population, Parliamentarians and CCM members of Global Fund. In South Asia HIV prevalence is concentrated but vulnerability is high in all the eight project implementing countries. Through this project initiative, an effort was given to enhance understanding of relevant stakeholders on the benefits of the integrated response to SRH and HIV concerning to both prevention and treatment.

Saving lives is the core of the SPRINT Initiative (Sexual and reproductive health PRogramme IN crisis and post-crisis siTuations) The initiative was designed to address gaps in the implementation of the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) an international standard of care for Reproductive Health which is a set of priority activities to be implemented at the onset of an emergency.  The SPRINT Initiative provides one of the most important aspects of humanitarian assistance that is often forgotten when disaster and conflicts strike. IPPF-SPRINT ensures access to essential lifesaving SRH services for women, men and children in times of crises, a time when services are most needed yet are not prioritised or recognised by key humanitarian responders, IPPF-SPRINT delivers practical solutions for girls and  women, trains humanitarian workers to deal with pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive health and the aftermath of rape and violence.

This study on gender, masculinity and Sexual and Reproductive Health in South Asia sets out to examine ‘gender’ in its proper sense as a relationship between men and women, and the impact of cultures of masculinity upon sexual health of both men and women. The study suggests that cultures of masculinity impact upon the health of both men and women and that SRH programmes must explicitly address this aspect. Cultures of masculinity also have a direct relationship to sexuality and there are different ways in which this impacts upon the sexual rights of women-an aspect that the study also explores.