This monitoring tool measures Goals 5 and 6 of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that were formulated in 2000 to make measurable progress toward the development of all nations by the year 2015. The document contains recommendations regarding the use of the tool and the particular needs to be addressed in fulfilling the reproductive rights of women affected by HIV/AIDS.

The monitoring tool was developed as a practical tool to help NGOs and community-based organizations (CBOs) assess and monitor whether progress is being made toward fulfilling the reproductive rights of women affected by HIV/AIDS. It has four aims:

1. Provide groups that have no formal or extensive research capacity with a simple means of collecting information on the aforementioned issues.
2. Show how the two MDGs can be made more pertinent to the daily reality and work of individuals and organizations at the local level.
3. Contribute to the knowledge base and skills with which NGOs undertake advocacy and other efforts to influence policy research and program agendas in their localities.
4. The data collected by the monitoring tool can be used for presentation at national and international venues where HIV/AIDS policies and programs are formulated and reviewed.

The monitoring tool was tested by 7 NGOs across the world. These were within countries with smaller and larger AIDS epidemics. The outcome of the monitoring tool was used to formulate different recommendations regarding the measures that are needed to ensure that MDGs 5 and 6 are achieved for women affected by and living with HIV/AIDS.

• Expand and intensify training for health professionals on occupational risks of HIV infection in conjunction with capacity- building on the rights of people living with HIV/ AIDS.
• Employ women living with HIV in prevention and VCT programs as paid staff.
• Prepare and publish materials on family planning, contraception and options for avoiding and dealing with unwanted pregnancies in the context of HIV/AIDS.
• Advocate for increased availability and accessibility of EC, PEP and safe, legal abortion.
• Advocate and lobby for the possibility of HIV-positive men and women adopting children.
• Disseminate information on human-rights in practical terms relevant to recipients’ work and lives.
• Promote capacity-building and skills-building for women affected by and living with HIV/AIDS so that they can participate meaningfully in advocacy and policymaking

In addition to the tool, this project also contains a report that describes how the monitoring tool was used.

The Eight Step Approach is a comprehensive HRIA framework that provides a cyclic approach to policy development and project management. This toolset covers the following steps:

STEP 1: Assessment of the Actual Human Rights Situation

STEP 7: Monitoring

STEP 8: Evaluation