WAC Women

In the following section you will find information on campaigning activity from women's groups at an international, regional and national level

Mabel Bianco is the President of FEIM and the Coordinator of the International AIDS Women's Caucus and is the women's representative on the WAC Global Steering Committee
"In 2006 all governments at the UN reaffirmed the promise to STOP AIDS. Still, the epidemic continues to grow, particularly among young people and women. I urge LAC governments to commit to bringing sexuality education to adolescents and young people and promote condom use and their free distribution. They must also adopt policies to reach equality among women and men and finally, respect sexual and reproductive rights. Governments promised this last June. What have they done?? We must make them accountable!! " - Mabel Bianco

HIV strikes at the heart of the vulnerability and lack of equality faced by women in many societies around the globe.

Of the 39.5 million people living with HIV in the world today, almost half are women, up from 41 percent in 1997. In sub-Saharan Africa, the percentage of women among those living with HIV rises to almost 60 percent, highlighting the vulnerability of young women and girls and the unequal power relationships in some societies which can lead to violence, lack of information and treatment and other unique challenges.

Violence against women not only increases women’s vulnerability to HIV, but violence, and the fear of violence can present a significant obstacle to accessing care, treatment and support for HIV positive women.

Lack of access to information and treatment is highlighted in recent reports that indicate only nine percent of pregnant women are being covered with antiretroviral therapy to prevent mother to child transmission.

And in many societies, the burden of care for sick or orphaned family members most often falls on women and girls without sufficient social support, limiting education and employment opportunities.

But women are also leading the way for change. They are leaders in civil society organisations and positive people’s networks, in local communities and international politics. Women are speaking out and calling on leaders at every level to fulfil the promises they have made – for this generation and for the future.

To read more, please see Women on World AIDS Day