The Health Policy Project ended in 2016. Work continued under Health Policy Plus (HP+) until 2022.
Dominican Republic

Country & Regional Programs
- ► Africa
- ► Asia and the Middle East
- ► Europe and Eurasia (E&E)
- ► Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC)
Overview
In the Dominican Republic, HIV prevalence is relatively low compared to other countries in the Caribbean region. However, transmission among key populations remains high. Stigma and discrimination is widely recognized as a key driver of the epidemic, preventing individuals from seeking life-saving HIV prevention, care, and treatment services. Gender-based violence also helps fuel the spread of HIV, where UNAIDS reports indicate that women who have experienced violence are up to three times more likely to be infected with HIV than those who have not.
The Dominican Republic government is committed to building on gains made in expanding access to health services among key populations. Moreover, with the reality of decreased external funding, it is more important than ever to ensure that government and its in-country partners coordinate efforts and maximize resources in the combined effort to prevent HIV.
What We Do
In the Dominican Republic, the Health Policy Project (HPP) strengthens the capacity of local partner organizations to address gender-based violence and stigma and discrimination among key populations to improve the national response to HIV. We promote collaboration among government, nongovernmental, and civil society organizations to develop policies and strategies that integrate gender and reduction of stigma and discrimination into current HIV programs. HPP also works to build the capacity of local health organizations to address gender-based violence and stigma and discrimination, helping them provide crucial services to people that need it most.
In addition, HPP programs engage key populations in the policy-making process with government and civil society organizations, fostering partnerships and giving a voice to individuals affected most by the threat of HIV. This creates a participatory decision-making process and helps leaders develop policies and programs that effectively address the needs of groups most affected by HIV in the Dominican Republic.

Young women discuss family planning at their sexual health education peer group in the Dominican Republic.
News
Dominican Republic's National Council for HIV and AIDS Celebrates Zero Discrimination Day
Partners
HPP collaborates with a range of in-country stakeholders in the Dominican Republic, including:
- CONAVIHSIDA (National Response to HIV and AIDS)
- Ministry of Health
- Ministry of Women
- Vice-President’s Office