Bridging the Gap: Addressing Emerging Trends and Neglected Issues at the Intersection of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and HIV


ATHENA launched the “Bridging the Gap” series at the Fourth National South African AIDS Conference.

  • ‘Mapping Emerging Trends and Neglected Issues at the Intersection of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and HIV’, as an outcome document from the ATHENA 2008 SRHR and HIV Retreat.
  • Fact Sheet on ‘HPV, Cervical Cancer, and HIV: Screening and Prevention’, authored by Fiona Hale.
  • Policy Brief ‘Developing a Human Rights Framework to Address Coerced Sterilization and Abortion: Articulating the Principle of Free and Informed Decision-Making’, authored by the Health Equity and Law Clinic, International Reproductive and Sexual Health Law. Program of the University of Toronto.
  • Case Study ‘Documenting Human Rights Violations in Healthcare Settings: Experiences of HIV Positive Women in Namibia’, containing the direct documentation of Namibia Women’s Health Network members.

“Bridging the Gap” Report

These materials are part of a broader initiative to advance the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women living with HIV, particularly the right to safe, healthy motherhood and to reproductive choices. The broader initiative includes the on-going development of human rights frameworks, policy briefs, and fact sheets; the use of human rights mechanisms, including the United Nations Special Rapporteur; community-led documentation projects; capacity building; and community mobilization.

With support from the Packard Foundation Population Program, the ATHENA Network has formed and launched a Reference Group to identify and address emerging trends and neglected issues at the intersection of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and HIV, with a core focus on the priorities and perspectives of women living with, and affected by, HIV.

Current ATHENA Reference Group members include the AIDS Legal Network, Center for Reproductive Rights, Health Systems Trust, ICW, ICW Southern Africa, Ipas, Namibia Women’s Health Network, and the Salamander Trust.

Bridging the Gap Report

Bridging the Gap – Fact Sheet

Bridging the Gap – Policy Brief