PrevenƟng HIV in Adolescent Girls and Young Women

In Lesotho, the initiative is being implemented by CRS, a local partner of USAID. The program focuses on empowering girls and young women, as well as strengthening families, to reduce the risk of HIV infection. Key activities for empowering girls and young women include the creation and use of "safe spaces," savings-led microfinance, life skills training, financial education, entrepreneurship/employment training, job placement, internships, and mentoring. These interventions aim to build social assets such as self-esteem, problem-solving abilities, confidence, and social networks, in addition to economic and educational assets. The target population for this component is 36,482 adolescent girls and young women aged 15-24. The program also focuses on strengthening families to help reduce the risk of HIV infection in their adolescent children. Three primary approaches are being used: group-based training in positive parenting skills, savings-led microfinance, and financial education for Public Assistance recipients. These interventions aim to build the capacity of families to support their children's health and well-being. The target population for this component is 42,916 adolescent girls and young women aged 10-24 and their caregivers. The DREAMS initiative is being implemented in all 21 community councils of the two districts of Maseru and Berea, where HIV prevalence among female adolescents and youth aged 10-24 years is highest in the country. The program is being implemented in partnership with local organizations, including Caritas, Center for Impacting Lives, Global Leadership Program, Good Shepherd Sisters, Kick 4 Life, and Sepheo. The initiative is funded by USAID/PEPFAR and is being implemented over a period of two years, from 2016 to 2017. The program aims to reach a total of 79,398 people, including adolescent girls and young women, their caregivers, and other community members. By empowering girls and young women and strengthening families, the DREAMS initiative aims to reduce the risk of HIV infection and improve the health and well-being of adolescent girls and young women in Lesotho. The program's focus on social asset building, positive parenting skills, and financial education is designed to address the root causes of HIV infection among adolescent girls and young women. By building the capacity of families and communities to support the health and well-being of their children, the DREAMS initiative aims to create a more supportive and protective environment for adolescent girls and young women.