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July 25, 2008  

Women’s Leadership Essential for Universal Action

World YWCA Says at the XVII International AIDS Conference

 

The theme for the International AIDS Conference – Universal Action Now – emphasises the need for continued vigilance on the part of all stakeholders at the global, national, regional and local levels to ensure the promise for Universal Access by 2010 is achieved. With 29 women from member association around the world, the World YWCA will participate at the conference and will advocate for a clear focus on what universal action means for women and girls.

HIV and AIDS disproportionately affect women and girls. In 2007, an estimated 15.4 million women were living with HIV—a 1.6 million increase from 2001; in sub-Saharan Africa, almost 61% of adults living with HIV in 2007 were women.

This is why HIV and AIDS has become the World YWCA’s priority issue for nearly a decade. The World YWCA has extensive expertise on HIV and AIDS with YWCAs in over 70 countries implementing programmes on sexual and reproductive health and HIV. This grassroots experience positions the YWCA as a vital partner in the global response to AIDS.

To ensure Universal Action Now, the World YWCA believes that women’s leadership is essential. Through satellite sessions, side events and workshop, the World YWCA will call on governments, international organisations, civil society and corporate sector to:

1. Invest in women and girls

Investing in women and girls means providing quality information on sexual and reproductive health. Young women are 1.6 times more likely to be living with HIV than young men. In 2007, 40% of young males and only 36% of young females had accurate HIV knowledge; yet the Universal Access target for HIV knowledge among youth is 95% by 2010 (1) . Investment also means providing adequate, accessible and flexible financial resources to communities in ways that empower women and reduce gender inequality.

2. Ensure the safety and security of women and girls

As long as women in their households, communities, schools and nations remain vulnerable to sexual and gender based violence, they remain vulnerable to contracting HIV. Preventing violence is in itself HIV prevention.

3. End stigma and discrimination

After 25 years of HIV, stigma and discrimination continue to drive the pandemic. Today, over 70 countries still impose some form of HIV-specific restrictions on entry and residency for people living with HIV. Such violation of human rights must be eliminated.

For further information, please contact: Sylvie Jacquat, World YWCA Communication Assistant sylvie.jacquat@worldywca.org or visit our website: www.worldywca.org

World YWCA  |  w o m e n   l e a d i n g c h a n g e
a global movement of 25 million women and girls working for justice, peace, health, human dignity, freedom and the environment in 125 countries

(1) WHO/UNAIDS/UNICEF,”Towards Universal Access, Scaling Up Priority HIV/AIDS Interventions in the Health Sector, Progress Report; 2007