News - Women Leaders Speak About Global AIDS Priorities

Women Leaders Speak About Global AIDS Priorities

July 24, 2007—“What does Susan want?” asked Lucia Mbofana, at a July 24 Women Leaders Speak! Global Priorities for Action Against AIDS briefing before the U.S. Congress in Washington, D.C.

Lucia was referring to an eleven year-old girl in Zimbabwe who had been forced to leave school when AIDS struck her family. The girl eventually ended up homeless until Lucia and her organization, the Girl Child Network of Zimbabwe, reached her with support.

Lucia’s organization works with many girls and young women in her country, like Susan, who are living with HIV. These girls want “to be accorded an opportunity to get an education…access to medication” and for “their story to be heard.”

Lucia Mbofana, The Girl Child Network of Zimbabwe

Lucia Mbofana explained how children are a priority in the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Zimbabwe.

This was one story told before members of Congress and the media at today’s briefing to bring attention to the importance of reaching women and girls in the fight against AIDS. The briefing was sponsored by the Congressional Global Health Caucus and a number of organizations that have joined together to advance women’s leadership and advocacy in the fight against AIDS, including CEDPA.

Lucia Mbofana explained that girls are easy targets for gender-based violence in her country, especially as caretakers for their sick family members.

Women and girls are today’s face of AIDS. This is especially true in regions like sub-Saharan Africa where they make up the largest group infected by HIV. Despite the feminization of the epidemic, women are not always involved in the decision-making process concerning the next steps in fighting the disease.

Today’s speakers included women leaders from around the world involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Joining Lucia were other speakers including Congresswoman Betty McCollum, co-founder of the Global Health Caucus; Geeta Rao Gupta, International Center for Research on Women; Esse Nsed Akonjom, Positive Development Foundation (Nigeria) and Habiba Akter, Ashar Alo Society (Bangladesh).

Esse Nsed Akonjom, Positive Development Foundation (Nigeria)

Esse Nsed Akonjom spoke of long-term planning as a the greatest need in Nigeria.

While each speaker had a different story to tell, what emerged was the need to increase women’s leadership as AIDS policies, funding and strategies are being designed.

In Nigeria, where four million people are living with HIV, Esse Akonjom spoke of increasing prevention efforts and sustaining those who are currently on treatment. “The reality for me and other women …on antiretroviral therapy, [is] having to face that everyday another six of our families and friends become infected with HIV,” said Esse.

Habiba Akter, who heads a network of people living with HIV in Bangladesh, explained the need for supporting those living with HIV with services and care.

Habiba Akter, Ashar Alo Society (Bangladesh)

Habiba Akter described the need for information and education about HIV/AIDS as the focus for Bangladesh.

“Today, I am here because some empathetic people provided me with advice, counseling and hope,” said Habiba. “I am able to raise my daughter, and give her hope for living a better life. I have hundreds of friends and family members who are living positively and can contribute to HIV prevention.” She wants to ensure others are able to receive the counseling and treatment from which she has benefited.

Esse, Lucia and Habiba are in Washington, D.C. as part of the Advancing Women’s Leadership and Advocacy for AIDS Action workshop.

They are part of a group that includes 23 women leaders from around the world in a month-long workshop to increase their knowledge and skills to lead the AIDS response in countries from China to Zambia.

The Advancing Women’s Leadership and Advocacy for AIDS Action project partners include CEDPA and the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW), International Community of Women Living with HIV/AIDS (ICW), National Minority AIDS Council (NMAC) and UNAIDS-led Global Coalition on Women and AIDS.

The July 24 briefing was made possible by support from the Ford Foundation and the Levi Strauss Foundation.

Learn more about CEDPA’s many training workshops to increase women’s leadership around the world.

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