This plan was developed in response to the pressing need to address the persistent gender inequalities and human rights violations that put women and girls at a greater risk of, and more vulnerable to, HIV and that threaten the gains that have been made in preventing HIV transmission and in increasing access to antiretroviral therapy.

It focuses on action in three areas:

•  Strengthening strategic guidance and support to national partners to ‘know their epidemic and response’ in order to effectively meet the needs of women and girls.
•  Assisting countries to ensure that national HIV and development strategies, operational plans, monitoring and evaluation frameworks and associated budgets address the needs and rights of women and girls in the context of HIV.
•  Advocacy, capacity strengthening and mobilization of resources to deliver a comprehensive set of measures to address the needs and rights of women and girls in the context of HIV.