Fight Against HIV/AIDS Should Address Women's and Girl's Specific Needs, African Women Leaders Say

SAL, Cape Verde —More than 80 women ministers, parliamentarians and other leaders from sub-Saharan Africa met in Cape Verde last week to address the devastating effects of HIV/AIDS on the region's population, particularly its women. The meeting highlighted the need for African women leaders to actively participate in forging national policies against HIV/AIDS and agreed on measures to respond to its gender dimension.

The Fifth Conference of African Women Ministers and Parliamentarians, held from 15-18 October, was also attended by representatives of international nongovernmental organizations and United Nations agencies. Organized by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), it focused on "Gender and HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa: Reinforcing the National Response." Of particular concern to participants were the overwhelming challenges that HIV/AIDS poses to youth, especially women and girls.

The urgency of the topic stems from the escalating threat of HIV/AIDS in the continent, and the increasing number of women and girls who are affected by the epidemic. Sub-Saharan Africa is the only region in the world where more women than men are infected with HIV and dying of AIDS. About 15 million of the estimated 26 million adults suffering from HIV/AIDS are women. Lack of knowledge about prevention and a lack of bargaining power with their sexual partners are among the main factors keeping many women from protecting themselves against HIV/AIDS. Women are also more physiologically vulnerable to HIV infection.

"Africa is a continent in crisis, and we bear responsibility to respond to this crisis with maximum commitment and leadership at all levels," said UNFPA's Executive Director Thoraya Obaid during the conference. "In response to the critical challenges we face, it is absolutely critical that we promote gender awareness in prevention activities. This means that HIV/AIDS prevention programmes should go beyond exclusively focusing on modes of transmission and safer sexual practices but also integrate gender dynamics linked to gender roles, sexuality and relationships."

Participants from more than 40 sub-Saharan countries agreed on a set of recommendations that were included in the Sal Commitment. These include the need for stronger legal frameworks that safeguard and promote women's rights, including their sexual and reproductive rights, in order for them to protect themselves against HIV/AIDS. Governments were also urged to ensure the availability of anti-retroviral drugs and to encourage the use of all prevention methods against the pandemic, including both male and female condoms.

The meeting also called for stronger and more comprehensive HIV/AIDS prevention programmes targeting adolescents, particularly in schools, universities and the armed forces. That includes encouraging dialogue on sexual and reproductive health within households, between generations and with faith-based organizations, and developing advocacy messages alerting high-risk groups to their vulnerability. Participants also pledged to continue supporting civil society in educating communities and providing them with sexual and reproductive health services.

The Sal Commitment also includes taking all necessary action to stop violence against women and girls and to ensure their economic empowerment, as a condition for the continent's development.

Launched by UNFPA in the mid-1990s, the African Women Ministers and Parliamentarian conferences are the only venues available for Africa's women political leaders to meet and get updated on social issues impacting their constituencies. The gatherings, which are held every two years, also facilitate networking among women leaders and present them with new skills needed for advocacy and policymaking.

UNFPA is the world's largest multilateral source of population assistance. Since it became operational in 1969, it has provided more than $5 billion to developing countries to meet reproductive health needs and support sustainable development issues.

Contact Information:

Omar Gharzeddine
Tel.: +1 (212) 297-5028
Email: gharzeddine@unfpa.org