Press Releases

Geneva July 27, 2009: The world is confronted with staggering statistics related to women's health on a daily basis: an unacceptable number of girl-child marriages; women dying in childbirth; and young women exposed to sexually transmitted infections and HIV.

Geneva, June 18, 2009: The Human Rights Council adopted a ground-breaking resolution on maternal mortality and morbidity on June 17, 2009. As an organisation committed to promoting women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights, the World YWCA welcomes the resolution and congratulates member states for their readiness to address maternal health as a human rights issue.

Geneva, February 25, 2009 : The Condom Advocacy Working Group has responded to a global statement issued by Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS by urging him to play a leadership role in promoting and advocating male and female condom programming as an essential component of all HIV and AIDS policy.

Geneva, January 20, 2009 - As Israel and Hamas announce unilateral ceasefires respectively, the World YWCA joins millions of people and organisation in condemning the force and impact of Israel's attack on Gaza. World YWCA calls for real peace and security in the region that can only be achieved through a resolution of the root causes of the conflict.

Geneva, January 7, 2009 : YWCAs around the world will hold candlelight vigils on January 8 in commemoration of hundreds of lives lost in the recent crisis in Gaza and to call for peace in the Middle East.

Geneva, August 4, 2008 : Media covering the XVII International AIDS Conference are invited to attend a press conference to launch a report from the Positive Women’s Forum—an unprecedented meeting that was held on July 4, 2007 in Nairobi, Kenya as part of the International Women’s Summit on HIV and AIDS.

Geneva, July 30, 2008 : A new report released by UNAIDS indicates that the HIV epidemic is slowing or stabilising in many regions. Yet women and young people remain at particular risk of HIV infection. The UNAIDS ‘2008 Report on the global AIDS Epidemic’ shows that although young people are waiting longer before becoming sexually active, many still do not have accurate information on HIV transmission and how to prevent infection.

Geneva, July 28, 2008 : The theme for the International AIDS Conference – Universal Action Now – emphasises the need for continued vigilance on the part of all stakeholders at the global, national, regional and local levels to ensure the promise for Universal Access by 2010 is achieved. With 29 women from member association around the world, the World YWCA will participate at the conference and will advocate for a clear focus on what universal action means for women and girls.

Geneva, July 12, 2007 :The World YWCA Council concluded today with the election of Susan Brennan as the new World YWCA president and Nyaradzai Gumbonzvanda as the appointed general secretary. Both will lead the World YWCA for the next four years through the 2011 World Council to be held in Zurich, Switzerland.