The ENHANCE Tanzania team recently engaged key stakeholders in discussions on gender-based violence (GBV) and HIV to explore priorities, experiences, and critical gaps that should inform upcoming research. HIV remains a significant public health concern in Tanzania, with an estimated 3.8% HIV prevalence among adults aged 15–49 and approximately 1.7 million people living with HIV in 2023.
Women carry a disproportionate share of the HIV burden, with an estimated 1.1 million women aged 15 years and older living with HIV compared with about 550,000 men. At the same time, important gaps remain in HIV prevention, testing, treatment, and access to services among key and vulnerable populations, with stigma, discrimination, gender inequalities, and structural barriers continuing to affect access and uptake.
The meeting brought together stakeholders from relevant NGOs to share perspectives on how GBV may increase vulnerability to HIV and affect access to prevention, testing, treatment, and support services. Discussions also focused on strengthening collaboration, ensuring that the upcoming research reflects community realities, and identifying practical, gender-responsive approaches that can contribute to more effective GBV and HIV prevention and response in Tanzania.
