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.
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Network mission
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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
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Values on which the Network’s actions and activities
will be based include:
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- 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
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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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