Degree of supportive policy and legislative environment Degree of supportive policy and legislative environment Definition: This indicator is an adaptation of UNAIDS’ National Composite Policy Index 2010 to pertain to male circumcision. In particular, adaptation of Appendix 4, Part A, subsection I (question 1, whether there is an adopted national policy/strategy for male circumcision), subsection II (questions 1and 3), and subsection III (questions 1, 2, 3, and 4.1). These key questions (adapted to male circumcision) include: I. A1. Has the country developed a national multisectoral strategy to respond to HIV with male circumcision program/services? If not, explain why. II. 1. Do high officials speak publicly and favorably about male circumcision for HIV prevention in national forums at least twice a year? II. 3. Does the country have a mechanism to promote interaction between government, civil society and the private sector for implementing male circumcision for HIV prevention? III. Does the country have a policy or strategy: promoting information, education and communication on male circumcision for HIV prevention to the general population? promoting male circumcision and related reproductive and sexual health education for young people? promoting information, education and communication on male circumcision among vulnerable subpopulations? determining the extent to which male circumcision for HIV prevention has been implemented? One additional question that should be included is: “Does the country have a policy or strategy for reaching women with information and education on male circumcision for HIV prevention?” Data Requirement(s): Verification of support for policies or legislation related to male circumcision for HIV prevention Data Source(s): Special surveys with supporting documentation, such as: national HIV strategy; directive or resolution; meeting minutes providing evidence of dialogue among national and subnational governments on policies or new legislation; records of speeches Purpose: This indicator assesses progress towards a supportive policy and legislative environment, identifies gaps in areas of government support, and allows the targeting of advocacy strategies. To achieve increased demand for male circumcision, as well as effective scale-up of male circumcision services, a supportive legislative and policy environment is necessary. Successful efforts at increasing leaders’ knowledge of male circumcision for HIV prevention should lead to positive changes in this indicator. Issue(s): The survey used to collect data for this indicator may not include a qualitative component. In order to justify an improvement in the enabling environment, additional information should be collected to describe the improvement and how it was achieved. Keywords: policy, male circumcision References: WHO & UNAIDS. A guide to indicators for male circumcision programmes in the formal health care system. 2009. http://www.who.int/hiv/pub/malecircumcision/hiv_mc_me.pdf Related content Policy Environment Filed under: Family Planning, FP, FP/RH, Indicators, male circumcision, men’s health, policy, Reproductive Health, RH
