At a glance
CDC, through the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), has supported the DREAMS program since its launch in 2014. In Mozambique, each year DREAMS reaches more than 200,000 adolescent girls and young women with HIV and violence prevention information and services.
10 years of DREAMS
CDC, through the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), has supported DREAMS programs since its launch in 2014. This multi-pronged approach helps adolescent girls and young women live Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-free, Mentored, and Safe lives.
Adolescent girls and young women are at higher risk of HIV infection in all countries with DREAMS programs. CDC works with partners in 13 countries to implement a core package of evidence-based interventions that focus on comprehensive HIV prevention and violence prevention.
Spotlight
From 2020 – 2023, through CDC-supported DREAMS programs:
- Over 670,000 adolescent girls and young women (ages 15-24) in DREAMS programs started on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medication to prevent HIV infection.
- Nearly 600,000 adolescent and young women (ages 10-24) received clinical care after they experienced violence.
DREAMS in Mozambique
The DREAMS program in Mozambique reaches more than 200,000 adolescent girls and young women per year. DREAMS Mozambique began in 2014 and is currently implemented in most of the provinces in the country.
Below are stories of two young women whose dreams are being turned into reality through their participation in DREAMS Mozambique.
Joana's Story
Joana had a difficult childhood. When she was eight years old, she lost her parents and was raised by her grandmother. Although she wanted to continue her high school studies, she had a young son, and she had to drop out when her family could no longer pay for her school fees. She joined DREAMS and was guided by her DREAMS mentor, Nélia, who was also a mother at an early age.
Joana returned to school and continued to participate in DREAMS initiatives, like the DREAMS savings group, where DREAMS participants learn about financial literacy, saving, and starting entrepreneurial activities. Joana started braiding hair and saving her earnings. After several years in DREAMS, she was invited to join a group of DREAMS program facilitators.
Today, Joana is a DREAMS Ambassador, using her story to inspire other girls to succeed. Now she advises other girls to, "Never give up fighting for their dreams. Fight and believe that one day, a door will open to a new story."
Verônica's Story
A daughter of separated parents, Verônica grew up with her mother in a suburban neighborhood in Mozambique. When she was 11 years old, the sexual harassment and abuse by her stepfather began. Everything seemed unbearably difficult until a DREAMS Mentor arrived who told her about the program and invited her to join.
Today, Verônica is an empowered girl who splits her time between school and sewing. From the porch of her house, she makes skirts, school uniforms, dresses, shirts, and tunics for her many clients. She says, "My dream is to have my sewing shop, to become a stylist and businesswoman recognized all over the world."
Supporting future DREAMS
Prevention programs for adolescent girls and young women primarily exist in areas that have moderate to high rates of HIV and violence. But gaps in prevention programs still leave millions of adolescent girls and young women at a higher risk of acquiring HIV.
Programs like DREAMS have contributed to a 51% reduction in the number of adolescent girls and young women acquiring HIV in 2023 compared to 2010. CDC remains committed to supporting DREAMS in countries where more women like Joana and Verônica can live safe, healthy, and happy lives free from HIV and gender-based violence.
