Abstract: Submission #44

Abstract Young women enrolled in HIV clinical research programmes encounter adverse psychosocial challenges related to Gender-based Violence (GBV) which hinders social progress. In South Africa, young women often carry the burden of HIV/AIDS, while also being the survivors of GBV. The duality of these issues presents a challenge in addressing issues of public healthcare, gender equality and socioeconomic development which are key for social progress. However, it also presents an opportunity for clinical research sites to be proactive and intentional in the formulation and implementation of Women’s Empowerment Programmes (WEPs). There is a dearth of literature exploring the role played by WEPs in supporting GBV survivors and how this contributes to social progress. This gap underscores the need for more research focused on how WEP facilitators navigate disclosures and provide psychosocial support to empower GBV survivors participating in such programmes. In this paper, we focus on a nine-month Socioeconomic Empowerment and Curriculum-based Programme (SECP) at the Females Rising through Education, Support and Health (FRESH) HIV research clinic. We explored SECP team’s perspectives on the GBV-related experiences shared by young women enrolled in the programme. Thematic analysis was used to unpack the narratives of twelve members of the SECP team who play a direct role in facilitating and interacting with participants. The findings firstly highlighted how SECP facilitators frame young women’s experiences of GBV as Izigaxa (lumps). Secondly, the impacts of exchange-based relationships on young women’s vulnerability to GBV and thirdly, trauma-informed approaches employed by SECP facilitators in the management of GBV disclosures. The findings outline the resources and support that SECP team require for improving the management of GBV disclosures. Ultimately, highlighting the important role of WEPs in bridging the gap between clinical research and support for GBV survivors.