Summary:

As many as one in three women across the world experience gender-based violence in their lifetime. Adolescent girls and young women are no exception: a recent study found that 28% of adolescent girls (aged 15-19) and 29% of young women (aged 20-24) have experienced gender-based violence. Young men and boys experience gender-based violence too, however, data is scarce. Gender-based violence is not only a traumatic experience for the individuals who are subjected to it, but it also increases people’s vulnerability to HIV and is an urgent public health issue.

Gender-based violence can be prevented. But first we need to know what works. Researchers at the University of Oxford and Frontline AIDS therefore conducted a systematic review to evaluate what works and what doesn’t work in addressing gender-based violence. Our focus was young people living with or affected by HIV in low- and middle-income countries. This concise brief for policymakers, programme managers, researchers and donors summarizes the systematic review findings.

The review found a number of promising approaches. These combine sexual health education and social empowerment and economic strengthening; as well as self-defence for girls + educating boys about gender equality. Several approaches were ineffective in reducing gender-based violence. We found that young people –especially marginalised young people and young people living with HIV – have largely been excluded from research. More research is clearly required, in addition to investment in evidence-based policies and programmes that reach those young people who are most vulnerable to HIV.