The Law and Health Initiative (LAHI) was invited to participate in a panel presentation at the 25th anniversary celebration of American University Washington College of Law’s International Legal Studies Program. The panel focused on domestic violence in the context of HIV/AIDS in Africa.

Often referred to as the “twin pandemics,” domestic violence and HIV/AIDS overlap in many ways. Domestic violence can be an indicator of higher HIV risk among women (including married women), a consequence of disclosure of HIV status to a spouse or intimate partner, and a barrier to HIV testing, diagnosis, and treatment. LAHI’s presentation highlighted the potential of holistic interventions, integrating legal services into economic empowerment and health programs, to help address the multifaceted dimensions of this issue.