Colombia

Comprehensive sexuality education programmes reached 1389 young people in schools improving their knowledge and skills on the prevention of HIV, sexually transmitted infections, and early or unplanned pregnancies; and 71 facilitators built their capacity to deliver out-of-school comprehensive sexuality education (UNFPA).  

Prevention of vertical transmission of HIV services were scaled up among rural and indigenous communities through the implementation of a new service delivery model, the capacity building of healthcare providers and the revision of service monitoring tools, thanks to the technical and financial support from the Joint Programme (WHO). In addition, vulnerable mothers from refugee, migrant and host communities received breastmilk substitutes benefiting 381 infants, including babies under six-month old born to mothers living with HIV (UNHCR).  

In humanitarian settings, over 5200 refugees, migrants and people from host communities accessed HIV testing services in collaboration with the civil society organization Profamilia in 20 departments or in community spaces spread across Bogotá, Bucaramanga, Cucuta, Medellin and Pereira cities. Migrants who survived sexual violence benefited from condoms and post-exposure prophylaxis kits distributions. Comprehensive educational initiatives also engaged 1800 women from refugees, migrants and host communities covering crucial topics such as HIV prevention, including negotiation skills for condom use and the prevention of gender-based violence. Furthermore, 114 refugees, migrants and people from host communities in Cúcuta, Medellín and Pereira cities received training on entrepreneurship, employability and financial inclusion as well as seed funding to establish small enterprises or improve their chances of employment (UNHCR). In Barranquilla, 30 people living with HIV also received similar training and assistance, of whom 21 people found employment and four people started their own business (WFP).