YWCAs around the World

For more than a decade, the World YWCA has prioritised HIV and AIDS and developed extensive knowledge of the pandemic’s impact on women and girls. With HIV-related programming now in over 70 countries worldwide, this is a snapshot of innovative ways that YWCAs are responding locally.

Partnering with Positive Women in Peru

Back in 2007, the YWCA of Peru began offering computer classes for young women from low-income families in Lima to develop vocational skills. They used the opportunity to reach out to HIV positive women. As the YWCA’s General Secretary Silvanna Ayaipoma explained, “it is important that infected and affected women can grow and develop skills at the YWCA in a safe space, free from stigma and discrimination”.

“The number of HIV positive women coming to the YWCA increases every day. Having these women as part of our project has helped other students overcome the taboo issues surrounding HIV and AIDS. At the same time, we are learning about the challenges facing HIV positive women, who are subjected to discrimination, lack of access to antiretroviral and a lack of education to secure a better future for themselves and their children,” said Silvanna.

The computer project has given participants the opportunity to access information and advances in HIV, share experiences and obtain clinical results in real time. The second phase of the project includes workshops on self-esteem and sexuality, which have drawn upon the skills and knowledge of HIV positive women. Participants from the first phase are also involved as mentors.

Addressing Intimate Partner Transmission in Thailand

The AIDS Commission in Asia estimates that at least 75 million men buy sex regularly; many are in relationships and place their partners at risk of HIV infection. Married women now constitute the greatest number of new infections in Asian countries with mature epidemics such as in Thailand, leaving millions of couples in need of effective protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV.

In response to this situation, YWCA of Thailand has collaborated with the Provincial Health Department to train 100 young people to be health leaders in local villages. These leaders are trained in sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), and learn about family planning and effective protection against STIs and HIV. They observe behaviour in communities, and offer counselling and information to families. Through the programme, young women and men have increased self-esteem and developed leadership skills to actively respond to HIV and AIDS locally.

Responding to Violence and HIV in Suriname

Violence can be found at all levels of society in Suriname: in the home, the workplace and in schools. It is linked to the spread of HIV, and has led the YWCA of Suriname to search for solutions to ending violence and decreasing the number of new HIV infections.

The YWCA provides SRHR and HIV information in high schools and colleges, including free condom distribution. They have also begun facilitating youth discussion groups on violence and SRHR. Billboards and radio programmes are being used for awareness raising among housewives. YWCA leaders have also been trained to provide reproductive health information and messages around safe sexual behaviour, working in a faith-based context. The YWCA is partnering with other organisations to offer assistance to survivors of violence. Staff have been trained to counsel survivors and ensure women feel safe to take action against violence.