What are the cultural and societal factors that prevent a stronger women's presence at the concert? How does the empowerment of the genders increase the effectiveness of destigmatizing HIV/AIDS?
Literature Review
Social Context
Hussein and Ferguson (2019): stigmatization is closely linked to the social and cultural context
Parker and Aggleton (2003): “discrimination is supported by the concept of power, privilege, and dominance.” — social milieu and gendered hierarchy of Ugandan culture
Education
Adams et. al (2019): GLI —Completion of high school associated with reduced negative attitudes towards HIV/AIDS
Supported by UNFPA (2013): Educated women open to talking about HIV/AIDS.
Tsai and Venkataramani (2015): DHS (implementation of the 1997 Primary Education Policy) — additional years of education does not have a causal effect: importance of both academic and social education
Findings
How to reach more women?
Directly engage and work with existing women empowerment groups
Take integrated services closer to hard to reach communities by facilitating stakeholders
Come up with strategic mobilization measures: use of role plays on HIV awareness and destigmatization by locally organized groups
Skits: societal challenges that the Ugandan women face: engaging locals
Entertainment as well as representation of the unspoken realities
Involve more women VHTs to reach out to more women
Empower religious and cultural leaders through basic trainings on HIV prevention and testing
Involve more women artists in the concert
Advocate for more free women friendly services like sanitary pads , UTI and STI screening services
Reconsider timing of the concert 67% yes and 33% No
