Problem Analysis: Although Sri Lanka is currently categorized as a low prevalence country with a current HIV/AIDS prevalence rate of 0.07, it has all the necessary conditions to trigger a rapid and dramatic spread. However, effective campaigns that needed to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS are hindered by weak partnership between Government, private sector and civil society organizations. Also, weak integration of HIV/AIDS preventive interventions at the financial, programmatic, and organizational levels bear negative impacts on effective SRH protection. Also the gap between the quantity of condoms the country need and the quantity actually used - estimated to be around 25% - give an indication of the degree of vulnerability of sexually active people of the country.

HIV/AIDS is also closely linked to power relations between and among men and women:

• Misconceptions about masculinity encourage men to display their sexual prowess by having multiple sex partners.
• Gender inequity and women’s economic dependency limit their ability and capacity to negotiate sexual relations.

Strategic Direction:FPASL will establish strong and effective partnerships with key stakeholders (e.g. youth groups, women’s NGOs and those workings specifically on HIV/AIDS ) to prevent and mitigate the spread of HIV/AIDS by addressing gender and power relations between young women and young men .

Goal:   Reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDS among young women and men and decrease the degree of vulnerability while ensuring full protection of the rights of the people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.

Objectives:

• To reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS, especially among young people in two selected underserved districts,
• To increase access to interventions that prevent and/or mitigate the incidence of HIV/AIDS/STIs through integrated gender sensitive SRH programmes.

Activities

Objective 1: To reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS in two selected districts to ensure that the HIV/AIDS prevalence does not increase from the current (baseline) level.

• Undertake baseline & end line survey, using an age specific stratified sample with women visiting 10 SDPs (including counseling centers) to assess the extent of disempowerment faced by women in negotiating safe sex with partners;
• Conduct mapping exercise of key NGOs/CBOs working in gender and/or HIV/AIDS in the same districts for potential partnerships and collaborative work.
• To increase capacity of FPASL staff and volunteers and NGO/CBO partners in empowering women to negotiate safe sex through workshops, training, study tours, etc.
• Establish more SDPs in underserved areas in the selected provinces, in order to increase access to male and female condoms and utilisation and counselling services.

Objective 2: To increase access to interventions for the prevention of HIV/AIDS/STIs through integrated gender sensitive SRH programmes

• Develop appropriate gender sensitive advocacy for use in HIV/AIDS prevention seminars, roundtable discussions etc. for policy makers, media persons, professionals and opinion leaders.
• Establish partnerships with NGOs/CBOs and other civil society organizations, private sector and governmental agencies for increased access to strengthened gender sensitive STI & HIV/AIDS information and services;
• Design and deliver training and other capacity building activities for peer counselors to provide quality counseling to young women and men targeting, in particular, sexually active groups and/or high risk behavior groups
• Develop appropriate tools to empower women, especially those who are vulnerable and/or from marginalized and /or underserved areas, to negotiate skills in sexual relations with their partners.

Outcomes and Indicators: