Faith in Action Now!: World YWCA AIDS 2008 delegation explore faith and HIV and AIDS

The Ecumenical Pre-Conference 2008 theme is "Faith in Action Now!" and from July 31 – August 2, Christians will participate in plenary sessions, skills building workshops, and daily worship during the Pre-conference.

The World YWCA will participate in a range of workshops at the pre-conference to enhance learning and sharing of knowledge of issues that surround HIV and AIDS from a faith based perspective.

World YWCA General Secretary Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda will moderate a panel that explores ‘Gender-based Violence and Trafficking’. “There are strong links between gender based violence and the transmission of HIV and between the disclosure of a positive status and ensuing domestic violence, including physical and emotional violence,“ says Gumbonzvanda. Among the speakers on the panel is Herlyn Urjas from the Churches United Against HIV and AIDS in Southern and Eastern Africa (CUAHA) who will give a personal testimony as a young person living with HIV who has been trafficked herself.

“ The YWCA understands the importance of addressing the issue of trafficking of young women. The YWCA of Finland helped give a name to the word trafficking in their ‘Not For Sale’ campaign that raised awareness of an issue that many did not think existed,” says Gumbonzvanda. The ‘Not For Sale ‘ campaign also created partnerships with other European YWCAs with the YWCA of Albania and the YWCA of Greece having both worked with Finland on the issue of trafficking since the launch of ‘ Not for Sale’.

Sophie Dilmitis, World YWCA HIV and AIDS Co-ordinator, will address the issue of stigma and discrimination at the Ecumenical Pre-Conference. Dilmitis is a guest speaker on the panel ‘How religious leaders and people of faith are addressing stigma and discrimination towards people living with HIV’ and the topic is an issue close to her heart. “ As a person who has been living with HIV for 14 years I know how important the topic of stigma and discrimination is, “ says Dilmitis.

• Theology for Action
• Greater Involvement of People Living with HIV
• Advocacy and Collaboration with Key Players
• Accessing Resources
• Care and Support
• Prevention
• Gender Based Violence
• Youth

“ Now! more than ever, is the time for churches to continue to lead the way—restoring hope and health in the face of HIV and AIDS. The sick, the hurting, the hungry, the marginalised, the destitute, the orphan, the widow and the dying, find hope through the services offered by churches. Now! more than ever, churches and communities of faith must lead the way and put their Faith in Action,” say organisers of the Ecumenical Pre Conference.