Strengthening Access to High Quality and Comprehensive Services Targeting Adolescent and Young People in Malawi through Determined, Resilient, AIDS-Free Mentored and Safe (DREAMS) Program under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)

The Award Ceiling for Year 1 is 0 (none). CDC anticipates an Approximate Total Fiscal Year Funding amount of $4,000,000 for Year 1, subject to the availability of funds. The Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-free, Mentored and Safe (DREAMS) initiative implemented in 15 countries including Malawi aims at reducing new HIV infections among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) aged 10-24 years. AGYW face an increased vulnerability for HIV acquisition when compared to their peers, globally, young women aged 15-24 are two to 14 times as likely to acquire HIV than males of the same age. In Malawi, HIV incidences are eight times higher among females aged 15-24 years than their male counterparts. DREAMS is delivered through a comprehensive package of evidence-based strategies that go beyond the health sector, addressing structural drivers that fuel AGYW’s HIV risk, including poverty, gender inequality, sexual violence, social isolation, and limited schooling. DREAMS is based on evidence-based interventions and builds on the premise that multiple interventions targeting AGYW are more impactful than providing a single intervention when multiple factors of vulnerability are present. In addition to focusing on interventions to empower AGYW to reduce their risk of HIV, the DREAMS package also aims to strengthen families, prevent violence, reduce HIV risk for male sexual partners and mobilize communities for change. The DREAMS program in Malawi is implemented in three districts: Zomba, Machinga and Blantyre. The recipient will provide a comprehensive package of DREAMS in Blantyre district and any additional districts based on COP scale up plans.