Detailed Mechanism Funding and Narrative

Details for Mechanism ID: 14234
Country/Region: Ethiopia
Year: 2013
Main Partner: Pact, Inc.
Main Partner Program: NA
Organizational Type: Private Contractor
Funding Agency: USAID
Total Funding: $0

USAID is currently initiating a procurement to continue integration of HIV prevention education into primary school, high school and university curriculums. CDC HIV prevention activities for students in secondary schools and universities will start migrating over to this mechanism intended for award in the second quarter of 2013. It is expected that the prevention realignment process regarding these activities will be finalized before the end of FY 2013. The goal is to assist the Government of Ethiopia (GoE) HIV prevention response efforts in schools and education environments, targeting high prevalence regions, hot spots and corridors, while serving as a follow-on mechanism to several programs that are ending. The target populations are students as well as local and regional administrators, including Regional Education Bureaus (REBs). The program will analyze the current HIV prevention response profile lead by GOE and Global Fund at different levels to facilitate the adaption and scale-up of effective programs. This program will be led by GOEs Ministry of Education and other local partners; sub-grants will be made to local entities including universities and REBs. The prime partners shall transition all of the service provision and TA to the GOE gradually. In addition, GOE will allocate REB funds to further strengthen program implementation. Cost effectiveness will be maximized by leveraging the use of existing structures and materials developed through existing/previous USG and Global Fund programs. The program will monitor activity implementation through monthly supportive supervision visits as well as rapid assessments to chart school progress. The program estimates the purchase or lease of 5 vehicles to assist with activity implementation and monitoring.

Funding for Sexual Prevention: Abstinence/Be Faithful (HVAB): $0

The goal of this program is to improve coordination of mainstreaming HIV messaging in the education system. The program contributes directly to education wraparound activities that collectively address HIV prevention among youth, cultural norms and gender issues. HIV-integrated curriculum is currently implemented in 500 government and public primary schools in Addis Ababa in the other towns. The program intends to expand to private schools in Addis Ababa and also add three new areas including, Amhara, Oromia and Tigray. Overall, the program will target 600 schools and 20 higher learning institutions throughout Ethiopia while benefiting approximately 900,000 students. The primary schools will strengthen and mobilize community groups for improved education and health services, with special focus on abstinence and be faithful activities. The program will also provide comprehensive messages for students in selected high schools, tertiary level facilities concerning reducing multiple concurrent partnerships, risky gender norms and when appropriate, promoting delayed initiation of sex. The program will also engage Girls' Education Advisory Committees (GEAC) to influence parents, and religious and community leaders against harmful traditional practices that predisposes girls for early marriage and sexual debut. The program will also work with Regional Education Bureaus (REB), higher learning institutes and teachers in integrating standard HIV prevention education curricula based upon existing PEPFAR-funded materials. The messages will be transmitted through small groups that are based in classrooms and clubs; the key messages will be spread over an academic year. Regional Health Bureaus (RHB) will be technically assisted in adapting and integrating messaging. The program will provide technical assistance and mentoring to schools and tertiary level ensuring HIV prevention messages are integrated in to the GOE education system. There will be a data collection system and active monitoring to schools to ensure that the number of students that are reached with a minimum service is captures and monitored.

Funding for Sexual Prevention: Other Sexual Prevention (HVOP): $0

The programs objective is to promote reduction in risky sexual behaviors among 200,000 students in secondary and tertiary educational facilities in Ethiopia through HIV prevention education that aims to increase knowledge and awareness. The project will work with more universities in future COP years and will eventually phase out, ultimately, transitioning activities to schools, universities and Regional Education Bureaus (REBs), and to include secondary schools. The program will directly support educational facilities located in hotspot areas, while additional facilities including the National Forum for HIV prevention in Universities and the Ministry of Education (MOE) will be provided with technical support for service standardization. HIV prevention wings in major tertiary education facilities will receive grants for the direct management of prevention efforts within their vicinities. The program targets highly vulnerable students with the goal of mainstreaming, standardizing and improving quality communication methods, including reinforcement activities. Key teachers and training facilities will be selected for a short pre-service training on the integrated curriculum of HIV messaging in schools. Venues that are preferred by HIV vulnerable students such as chat chewing houses and local bars will be targeted for HIV prevention interventions. Furthermore, the project will focus on increasing and meeting the demand for key healthcare services such as uptake of STI and HCT. The program will pick up the activities from past implementing partners Family Health International/Amhara (FHI)/CDC and World Learning high school at risk students response. Standard curriculum used by FHI will continued to be used as a communication tool in these schools. The behavior changing communication in tertiary level facilities will be standardized based on existing materials including the Campus Life and Peer Education Guides created by FHI and World Learning. The program ensures the presence of a functional M & E system that tracks and ensures the New Generation Indicator (NGI) minimum requirements are met.

Key Issues Identified in Mechanism
Implement activities to change harmful gender norms & promote positive gender norms
Increase gender equity in HIV prevention, care, treatment and support
Increasing women's legal rights and protection