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Use of male champions to improve male involvement in HIV testing: The experience of the Malawi EMPOWER Activity

Men living with HIV in Malawi have low rates of health-seeking behaviors, tend to present at clinics with advanced HIV, and have low viral load suppression rates. Research by the USAID-funded program EMPOWER (Expanding Malawi HIV/AIDS Prevention with local organizations Working for an Effective Epidemic Response) on men’s barriers to HIV services and beneficiary engagement has demonstrated men’s preference for male providers and for flexible and confidential service delivery models. To reach men, EMPOWER provides education on HIV prevention behaviors, creates demand for HIV testing services (HTS), ensures that men know their HIV status, and encourages linkage to treatment and care for HIV-positive men. Here, we describe how EMPOWER contributed to reaching more men with these services.

HIV self testing poster

🌍 Happy World Sexual Health Day 2023! 🌟

In a world abundant with information, let us pause and reflect on the essence of consent as we celebrate this...

Richard Luhanga picture

Richard Luhanga

Richard Luhanga is the Senior Technical Advisor for Strategic Information / Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) for Malawi EMPOWER Activity....

Training session in progress

EMPOWERED to Tackle GBV Among AGYW In Phalombe: 136 health care workers in Phalombe undergo training of trainers in Gender-Based Violence

Malawi EMPOWER Project on 30th November 2022 awarded 21 health care workers with certificates after completing the training of trainers...

A ray of hope through parental support in adolescent girls’ access to HIV prevention and sexual and reproductive health services   A ray of hope through parental support in adolescent girls’ access to HIV prevention and sexual and reproductive health services

A ray of hope through parental support in adolescent girls’ access to HIV prevention and sexual and reproductive health services   A ray of hope through parental support in adolescent girls’ access to HIV prevention and sexual and reproductive health services

“I did not go far with my education because I was married off when I got pregnant while I was...

picture of Catherine

Access to PrEP transforms life of a young woman in Zomba

Passing through the narrow road of Likangala market especially around lunch time, one would easily notice a fully packed restaurant...

AGYW health education session

Reaching adolescent girls and young women with SRH/HIV and GBV Services within their Communities   

It is a sunny Friday afternoon at Thukuta Village, Traditional Authority Ngokwe in Machinga District. About 65 adolescent girls and...

picture of Catherine

Empowering young women to actively participate in socio-economic development

In 2019, Catherine was without hope and motivation to engage in any economic activity. Catherine had lost confidence in herself...

Boniface Maket

Boniface Maket

Chief of Party

Leo Magombo

Leo Magombo

Senior Program Officer Capacity Strengthening and Program Management