UNAIDS Launches Enhanced Gender Assessment Tool to Strengthen HIV Responses
Berlin, Germany – The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has released an updated Gender Assessment Tool (GAT) designed to help countries evaluate their HIV epidemics and responses through a gender-transformative lens. The 2025 version of the tool places increased emphasis on cost-effectiveness, alignment with national plans, integration and sustainability, aiming to bolster equitable and rights-based HIV interventions globally. This initiative comes at a critical time, as gender inequalities continue to drive the HIV epidemic, disproportionately affecting women and girls, as well as key populations.
The GAT is intended to assist nations in assessing the complex interplay between gender, HIV, and other social determinants of health. By identifying gender-related barriers to effective HIV prevention, treatment, and care, the tool supports the development of more targeted and impactful strategies. The updated tool isn’t simply a diagnostic exercise; it’s designed to inform concrete action, including the development of country investment cases and funding requests to organizations like the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
Understanding the Need for a Gender-Transformative Approach
For decades, the HIV epidemic has been inextricably linked to gender inequality. Harmful gender norms, such as those related to sexual and reproductive health, power imbalances in relationships, and limited access to education and economic opportunities, increase vulnerability to HIV infection and hinder access to essential services. A gender-transformative approach recognizes that addressing these underlying inequalities is crucial for achieving lasting progress in the fight against HIV. This means moving beyond simply providing services to women and girls, and actively challenging the social structures that perpetuate their vulnerability.
The UNAIDS Agenda for Accelerated Country Action for Women, Girls, Gender Equality and HIV, introduced in 2010, highlighted the need for strategic actions to address the specific needs and rights of these populations within HIV responses. As Public Health Notes details, a mid-term evaluation of this agenda in 2012 revealed a need for a more systematic approach to data collection to support evidence-based planning and budgeting for gender-transformative solutions. This realization spurred the development of the GAT.
Key Features of the 2025 Gender Assessment Tool
The updated GAT builds upon previous iterations, incorporating lessons learned and responding to evolving needs in the HIV response. Several key features distinguish this version:
- Intersectional Gender Lens: The tool emphasizes an intersectional approach, recognizing that gender intersects with other factors such as race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, and disability to shape experiences of vulnerability and access to services.
- Cost-Effectiveness Analysis: A new costing tool accompanies the GAT, enabling countries to assess the cost-effectiveness of different interventions and prioritize investments that yield the greatest impact.
- Alignment with National Plans: The tool is designed to align with existing national HIV strategies and plans, ensuring that gender considerations are integrated into broader efforts.
- Monitoring and Evaluation Framework: A new monitoring and evaluation plan template helps countries track progress towards gender-transformative goals and assess the effectiveness of interventions.
- Sustainability Focus: The GAT promotes sustainable solutions by encouraging countries to build capacity and ownership within their national systems.
The GAT is not intended to be a standalone exercise but rather a catalyst for broader dialogue and action. It is designed to be led by national stakeholders and partners, ensuring that assessments are context-specific and responsive to local needs. According to UNAIDS, the tool is intended to inform the development of country investment cases, funding requests to the Global Fund, and other key national opportunities.
How the GAT Supports National HIV Responses
The Gender Assessment Tool serves multiple purposes within a national HIV response. It can be used to:
- Develop or Review National Strategic Plans: The GAT provides a framework for integrating gender considerations into national HIV strategies and ensuring that they are aligned with human rights principles.
- Inform Funding Proposals: The tool can strengthen funding proposals to the Global Fund and other donors by demonstrating a commitment to gender equality and a clear understanding of the gender dimensions of the epidemic.
- Monitor Progress: The GAT’s monitoring and evaluation framework allows countries to track progress towards gender-transformative goals and identify areas where further action is needed.
- Strengthen Advocacy: The assessment process can raise awareness among policymakers and stakeholders about the importance of addressing gender inequalities in the HIV response.
The tool’s emphasis on cost-effectiveness is particularly important in a context of limited resources. By identifying interventions that offer the greatest value for money, the GAT can help countries maximize their impact and achieve sustainable progress. The integration of a costing tool alongside the assessment framework is a significant step forward in ensuring that gender-transformative interventions are not only effective but also financially viable.
The Role of the Global Fund and International Partnerships
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria plays a crucial role in supporting countries to implement gender-transformative HIV responses. The GAT is specifically designed to inform funding requests to the Global Fund, helping countries demonstrate their commitment to gender equality and secure resources for targeted interventions. The Global Fund has increasingly emphasized the importance of gender equality in its funding criteria, recognizing that addressing gender inequalities is essential for achieving its overall goals.
Beyond the Global Fund, a range of international partners, including UNAIDS, the World Health Organization, and civil society organizations, are working to support countries in implementing the GAT and advancing gender equality in the HIV response. These partnerships are essential for providing technical assistance, sharing best practices, and mobilizing resources.
Looking Ahead: The Path to Gender-Transformative HIV Responses
The launch of the updated Gender Assessment Tool represents a significant step forward in the global effort to end the HIV epidemic. However, the tool is just one piece of the puzzle. Achieving truly gender-transformative HIV responses requires a sustained commitment to addressing the underlying social, economic, and political inequalities that drive the epidemic. This includes empowering women and girls, challenging harmful gender norms, and ensuring that all individuals have access to the services and support they need to protect their health and well-being.
The UNAIDS Strategy 2016–2021 and the Sustainable Development Goals both underscore the importance of a holistic approach that considers the full range of people’s health and rights concerns. The GAT provides a valuable framework for operationalizing this approach and ensuring that gender equality is at the heart of the HIV response. Continued investment in gender-transformative interventions, coupled with strong political commitment and community engagement, will be essential for achieving the ambitious goals set forth by the international community.
The next key step will be observing how countries integrate the 2025 GAT into their national HIV strategies and utilize the accompanying costing tool to prioritize investments. Further updates and refinements to the tool are anticipated based on ongoing evaluation and feedback from implementing countries. Readers are encouraged to share their thoughts and experiences with the GAT in the comments below.