MENA Rosa conducted a qualitative community-led research aiming to document the barriers facing WLHIV to access dignified HIV Vertical Transmission preventive services in Egypt and Morocco. We conducted five Focus Group Discussions in each country engaging a total of 136 WLHIV.
This was subsequently followed by a roundtable discussion (Rabat and Cairo) with key stakeholders, including National AIDS Program, UNAIDS Country Office, departments of maternal and child care services, local CSOs and community leaders. Collected data will feed into an advocacy strategy that will be implemented in 2025 aiming to include the recommendations gathered from the community into the National HIV Strategic Plan.
Main recommendations:
- Strengthening the integration of HIV and reproductive health services.
- Improving training for healthcare personnel.
- Developing targeted programs for women living with HIV.
- Intensifying anti-stigma efforts.
- Setting up a joint child-mother follow-up program.
- Improving the integration of HIV services into general health care.
- Increasing support for community associations.
- Providing intensified training for healthcare personnel on confidentiality and non-discrimination.
