Gender and Development

Philippines: Supporting Women At-Risk and Vulnerable to HIV/AIDS

Background & Rationale

While the Philippines falls under a 'low-prevalence' category for HIV/AIDS, the country is experiencing a rise in the monthly average number of cases reported, with seafarer OFWs comprising a significant proportion of cases reported in December 2008. There are also signs of increased high-risk behavior, such as sharing unclean needles among IDUs and high-levels of unprotected sex and low-levels of condom use.

ADB provided technical assistance to the Philippine Department of Health, local government units and nongoverment organizations (NGOs) to strengthen the country's response to HIV/AIDS, specifically for two identified vulnerable groups: injecting drugs users (IDUs) and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). In March 2008, GAD Fund support was provided at the request of ADB's South East Asia Department to address the gender-specific issues that emerged during project implementation, with the aim of strengthening the gender-related project outputs. The gender specific issues that emerged included the need to pay greater attention to the conditions faced by female IDUs and the inclusion of women OFWs as a specific target group.

Expected Outcome

1. An in-depth study to understand the situation of female IDUs and to design gender-specific responses for harm reduction;
2. Addressing HIV vulnerability of female spouses of seafarers, through the identification of specific HIV prevention strategies; and
3. Gathering information on the sexual and reproductive health and HIV/AIDS related issues of female seafarers, to develop information and communication strategies and services for sexual and reproductive health and HIV/AIDS prevention and mitigation programs.

Results to Date

To improve the knowledge and practices of the female spouses of seafarers, (i) a total of 21 female spouses were trained to be peer educators; (ii) a total of 72 spouses were given seminars on gender, sexual and reproductive health and HIV transmission; (iii) 21 peer educators have reached out to 110 peers; and (iv) responses during post-tests showed that all female spouses realized the importance of using condoms to prevent HIV transmission and are willing to encourage a friend to use condoms.

Two qualitative studies on female seafarers and female injecting drug users (FIDUs) have been completed. These are pioneering research studies as they are the first exploratory studies on Filipino female seafarers, which analyze their specific conditions, needs and issues, as well as the specific realities, behaviors, issues, and needs of Filipino FIDUs.

Stakeholders have agreed to undertake an initial mapping of SRH service providers to come up with a directory for distribution to female spouses of seafarers. Gender-specific recommendations will be provided at project completion for the national HIV/AIDS programs and policies in relation to IDUs and OFWs and their families.

In addition, the Government of the Philippines used the subproject results for national policy development in relation to the new Medium Term Development Plan for HIV/AIDS.

Consultant's Report

Technical Assistance for Promoting Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment [ PDF ]