In this handbook we sensitise the student and development practitioner (in the public service, civic organisations, local authorities, community organisations and other community development institutions) on the challenges HIV poses for all their development efforts and on the significant role they can play to reduce the effect of the disease on the people. Public authorities and other development agencies can take concrete steps today to ensure that people know about HIV and AIDS and how they affect society. This handbook is designed to meet a number of specific learning objectives in the field of public management, governance and community development. In this handbook we take a human rights approach to HIV/AIDS that argues for gender equality. We stress the fact that successful HIV/AIDS prevention will depend on "more equal gender relations and the empowerment of women."