ATHENA
MISSION, VALUES, AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES
As the world enters the third
decade of the global HIV/AIDS pandemic, women - especially the young
and the poor - are increasingly affected. Because gender inequity
fuels HIV/AIDS and HIV/AIDS fuels gender inequity, it is imperative
that women and girls speak out, set priorities for action, and lead
the global response to the crisis.
ATHENA
was created to realize this imperative. The Network builds upon the
work of individuals and entities who have been committed to this
challenge for years, and intends to use coordinated, collective
action to advance their efforts further. ATHENA members are working
actively towards the realization of the Barcelona Bill of Rights, a
guiding document for the Network that was first promulgated at the
2002 International AIDS Conference.
Network mission |
The Network’s mission is to:
- Advance the recognition, protection, and fulfillment of
women’s and girls’ human rights, comprehensively and
inclusively, as a fundamental component of policies and
programs to address HIV/AIDS.
- Improve the life quality and longevity of women and
girls living with HIV/AIDS.
- Ensure gender equity in HIV/AIDS-related research,
prevention, diagnosis, treatment, care, and support.
- Promote and facilitate the leadership of women and
girls, especially those living with HIV/AIDS, in all aspects
of HIV/AIDS-related policies, programs, and research.
- Bridge the communities around the world that are
addressing gender, human rights, sexual and reproductive
health, and HIV/AIDS.
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In advancing this mission, we aim
to:
- Address neglected or contentious human
rights issues such as sexual and reproductive rights.
- Link the global with the local in
meaningful ways, for example, by linking and facilitating
dialogue between actors operating in different regions,
sectors, and realms.
- Link research, policy, advocacy, and
practice.
- Share information and experiences.
- Develop common agendas for joint advocacy,
shared research, and collaborative training programs.
- Develop and support the leadership
capacity of women and girls, especially those living with
HIV/AIDS.
- Enable individuals and organizations to be
agents of change, including through provision of support to
activists and advocates for women living with and at-risk
for HIV/AIDS.
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Network values
Values on which the
Network’s actions and activities will be based
include: |
- Respect for internationally-recognized human rights
- Commitment to achieving gender equity
- Commitment to democracy that includes shared leadership
and distribution of power
- Commitment to geographic and gender diversity and
maintaining an active consciousness about diversity that
facilitates the inclusion of multiple voices, multiple
cultures, and multiple vulnerabilities.
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Guiding principles for
Network actions and activities |
In striving to achieve our mission
and express the values we have endorsed above, our work will
be guided by the following principles:
- Indivisibility and intersectionality of issues and
identities
- Independence to address sensitive and contentious issues
- Inclusion of grassroots and indigenous groups
- Involvement of youth and the importance of
intergenerational dialogue
- Selection of actions based on their potential impact
- Effective, clear, and consistent communication
- Strong documentation and dissemination of Network
actions
- Accountability through transparency, good governance,
and inclusion
- Commitment to contribute actively to shared Network
activities
- Linking and enhancing work being done by Network members
- Acknowledging one another's work in joint projects and
within the context of Network activities
- Expression of cultural awareness in documents and
activities undertaken by the Network
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