The World YWCA – An active participant at the AIDS 2010 Global Village

The Global Village is an interactive, participatory community that has given a voice to the conference theme – Rights Here, Right Now.  Some groups have been very creative with their messages and others just say it like it is, but each and every booth within the village is open to sharing, listening and working together to create a better world in the response to HIV and AIDS.

The World YWCA is one of these passionate organisations with a booth in the Global village. Eye catching and thought provoking the booth aims to provide a ‘safe space’ for women and young women throughout the week; sharing the work of the YWCA across the globe, providing female condoms and giving women a chance to chat about absolutely anything they want. Run by the delegation representing the World YWCA, the delegates have each had a chance to run the booth and to actively engage with other delegates at the conference as they spend time ‘shopping’ for information and engaging in dialogue.

The global market is like a huge shopping centre but with one major difference; instead of leaving with bags of clothes, shoes, handbags etc - you leave with much more. You leave with a wealth of new knowledge, new information, and possible partnerships. You also leave with a sense of solidarity to all those that are involved in work which focuses on HIV and AIDS throughout the world.

To be given the opportunity to learn about some of the initiatives which are happening around the world is amazing. To be able to try them out also gives one a real sense of what is REALLY happening in other countries. Imagine going to your local hairdressers to pick up your female condoms and then receiving the knowledge on how to use them and the benefits of using them. This is happening in Zimbabwe and it is such an exciting project. "I thoroughly enjoyed having my hair braided whilst listening to ‘Tears’ explain to me, in a very comprehensive manner, the choices I have as a woman in terms of condoms. It is learning about the different projects around the globe that really bring this global village alive and that sparks a new found energy in every individual as they shop from booth to booth and soak up every new piece of information they are given" said Kirsty Kelly, World YWCA Board Member who is part the delegation.

One thing is for sure, as the Global Village starts to pack up today, the sharing that has taken place is definitely still alive throughout the Conference. Alive also is the enthusiasm felt from learning from one another as we collectively try to realise the human rights associated with HIV and AIDS.

Link:

• Visit the World YWCA Blog Women Leading Change